Aaron Rodgers Can Add Odell Beckham Jr.’s Name to His Lengthy List of Grievances Against the Green Bay Packers
After a tough start to the 2021 season, star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. changed his scenery after departing from the Cleveland Browns and signing with the Los Angeles Rams. Beckham’s free agency process featured a heavy push from the Green Bay Packers. However, it turns out that an all-too-familiar factor led the star wideout to Los Angeles instead of playing with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
Odell Beckham Jr. signs with the Rams
Beckham’s first two seasons with the Browns featured health problems and inconsistent production.
These issues hit a breaking point in the 2021 campaign as his diminished role within the offense, and lackluster individual numbers led to his departure. Beckham recorded only 17 catches on 34 targets for 232 receiving yards and zero touchdowns in six games.
The discussion led to a mutual parting with the Browns waiving him in the third year of his five-year, $90 million deal. Beckham spoke with the Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots in free agency.
However, the Rams quickly jumped into the conversation to sign Beckham for the rest of the season, earning up to $4.5 million in a primarily incentive-laden contract.
He will make $750,000 in base salary with $500,000 to sign the deal. He will earn $750,000 if the Rams win a wildcard round game or get the first-round bye, make $750,000 for a divisional-round win, receive $750,000 for an NFC title game victory, and garner $500,000 for making the Super Bowl or $1 million for winning it.
Beyond that, Beckham’s decision to join the Rams over the Packers came down to one all-too-familiar factor.
Aaron Rodgers can add Odell Beckham Jr.’s name to his lengthy list of grievances against the Green Bay Packers
After Beckham cleared waivers, he entered the open market free to choose his next NFL home.
The Packers quickly became the heavy favorite to land him due to the possibility of competing for a Super Bowl with the opportunity to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers. However, the Rams swooped in to snag the former Pro Bowl wideout right from under Green Bay.
Before the two teams face off on Sunday afternoon, ESPN‘s Adam Schefter reported that it was the Packers’ unwillingness to cough up more than the veteran’s minimum valued at $1.075 million along with incentives that cost them the chance to sign Beckham.
“He wasn’t going to take the same or less money to go to Green Bay [over Los Angeles],” one source familiar with the contract talks told ESPN.
Schefter added that the Packers were asked multiple times to increase their offer but neglected to do that. Beckham then chose to ink a deal with the Rams, as it’s believed the team may have been his preferred landing spot.
However, it could wind up being another front office blunder that could hurt the Packers’ Super Bowl push. The franchise has notoriously decided against making notable mid-season moves to improve the team around Rodgers. It only further backs why the star quarterback privately vented his frustration this past offseason.
Nonetheless, Green Bay moves forward without what could have been a pivotal addition.
Packers may have added more fuel to Aaron Rodgers’ possible departure
The Packers’ inability to snag Rodgers’ another bonafide passing game weapon isn’t a backbreaking miss, but it may add another notable factor in his eventual departure.
Since the start of the 2021 campaign, the 37-year-old has paused the discussions concerning his long-term future. However, it’s a conversation the franchise will revisit next offseason as he will have more say after restructuring his contract.
Those factors only underline the importance of the Packers pushing their way toward securing a championship. The franchise has aired a strong desire to keep the star quarterback beyond 2021. It’s especially the case after it became evident that Jordan Love isn’t ready to take over the massive responsibility.
Time will tell what will unfold ahead, but losing out on Beckham may only add more fuel to the fire on Rodgers’ potential departure.
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