Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham Jr. Returns to NY Giants in 2026
Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham Jr is returning to the franchise that brought him into the NFL. The Louisiana native will be returning to the New York Giants for 2026.
The newly agreed to contract will bring Beckham back to a franchise where he holds numerous records. Its also the team he's spent the majority of his professional career with.
How the Former LSU Standout Took New York by Storm
Beckham was drafted out of LSU with the 12th overall pick in the First Round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was coming off his best year at LSU, and decided to skip his senior season to get a start on his pro career.
During his first year, Beckham became a football legend in only a few weeks.
Due to a hamstring injury, Beckham missed most of the offseason training camp, the whole preseason, and the first 4 games of the season. He made his pro debut in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons with a respectable 4 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
But it was the Week 12 game against the Dallas Cowboys that turned Odell Beckham Jr into a superstar. That night was a Sunday Night Football showcase putting the long-time rivals of the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys. The game was a home contest for the Giants, and that might have helped the magnitude of Odell's play.
As the Giants snapped the ball for the very first play of the second quarter, the team was on the 43-yard line, no where near the red zone. But quarterback Eli Manning still wanted to take a shot at the touchdown, so he lofted a deep pass to his right, aiming at Odell.
As the ball was approaching the goal line, Odell had a play on it. But he was interfered with by the defensive back, a penalty that drew a flag. But what happened after the foul will be talked about for the rest of the NFL's life.
Odell reached up with his right hand, snatched the ball out of the air while falling backwards, arched his back to allow himself to secure the ball, all while falling over the goal line and staying in bounds.
Beckham Became a Household Name After One Play
It instantly became catch of the year, and probably catch of the century. With some believing it to be the greatest catch ever.
Odell would go on to have great years in New York. He set over a dozen franchise records his rookie year, kept setting them over the next few seasons, and even snuck in some NFL records during those years.
The Blockbuster Trade: Leaving New York for the Cleveland Browns
But heading into the 2019 season, time was up for Beckham and the Giants. He was traded to Cleveland in a blockbuster move. For the first year, it looked like Beckham and the Browns were cooking. He had over 1,000 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.
After that came the 2020 season, and that can't really be held against anyone.
Going into 2021, things weren't felling the best around the Browns. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was trying to gut it out while playing through an injury, the play calling was suspect, and the team just felt like it was spiraling. That feeling wasn't helped by Beckham's dad, who went to social media to blast the way the team was using his son's skills.
Earning a Super Bowl Ring with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford
Ultimately, that let to the team outright releasing Beckham in early November. Which gave him a chance to sign with any team. Which he took full advantage of...as he signed with the Las Angeles Rams to play with quarterback Matthew Stafford and Head Coach Sean McVay.
That squad would go on to win the Super Bowl, and Beckham would be a big part of that. He helped the team through the playoffs, and even scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl LVI. But after scoring, Beckham would tear his ACL in the second quarter, and miss the rest of the game. He'd still get that Super Bowl ring though.
Now Beckahm goes back to the team that brought him into the league, in hopes of one more big run in Big Blue.
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