Odell Beckham Jr. joins Vikings practice squad after Giants release

Odell Beckham Jr. has found a new home in the NFC. The Minnesota Vikings announced that the veteran wide receiver has signed with the organization and will start out on the practice squad, coming aboard shortly after his release from the New York Giants on Sept. 29.

That move ended Beckham’s brief second run in New York. He had rejoined the Giants on June 1 and made the initial 53-man roster out of training camp, but he never carved out a role in the passing game. Over three appearances, he finished without a single target or reception before being let go.

Beckham expressed his frustration on social media once his time with the Giants came to a close. Head coach John Harbaugh later summed up the decision by saying the situation "wasn't working for us," indicating the fit between player and offense never fully materialized.

Reuniting with Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota

In Minnesota, Beckham reunites with a familiar play-caller. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was the offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams when they brought Beckham in during the 2021 season. Under O’Connell that year, Beckham posted 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns over eight regular-season games.

He then became a key piece of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI run, adding 21 receptions for 288 yards and two scores in the postseason. Beckham made an early impact in the championship win over the Cincinnati Bengals and appeared on track to contend for Super Bowl MVP honours before tearing his ACL during the game.

Depth move for a banged-up Vikings receiving corps

At 33, Beckham is no longer in his physical prime, but his arrival provides needed depth for a Vikings receiving group dealing with injuries. Star wideout Justin Jefferson has been managing an ankle issue that kept him out of Minnesota’s Week 5 victory over Miami. With Jefferson sidelined, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings have been the primary options at receiver on the active roster.

By placing Beckham on the practice squad, Minnesota can ease him back into an offense he knows from his time with O’Connell and evaluate his readiness before a potential promotion. His role could grow if Jefferson’s ankle problem lingers or if additional injuries hit the position.

Originally drafted 12th overall by the Giants in the 2014 NFL Draft out of LSU, Beckham has built an accomplished résumé. He has been named second-team All-Pro twice (2015 and 2016) and has totalled 575 regular-season receptions for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdown catches over his career.