Odell Beckham Jr.’s time with the Miami Dolphins — which ended Friday — was a lot of sizzle but next to no little steak.
NFL Media reports that Beckham and the Dolphins agreed to mutually part ways ahead of Sunday’s massive game against the Houston Texans to allow him to pursue other opportunities.
But if it’s Beckham’s wish to join a contender who will play him, good luck. He looked like a player well past his prime in his nine appearances with Miami.
Miami Dolphins Part Ways With Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham, 32, never could get going after a chronic knee issue that needed an offseason procedure cost him all of training camp and the first four games of the season.
Once activated, he struggled to create separation, struggled to hold onto the ball, and couldn’t carve out a role in a Mike McDaniel offense that values all of those things.
Beckham’s time with the Dolphins ends with nine catches for 55 yards and zero touchdowns on 18 targets. He played just 119 of a possible 873 offensive snaps for Miami.
Beckham’s longest catch as a Dolphin was 11 yards. He averaged a microscopic 1.6 yards per target, and his air yards per target was 7.6.
The #Dolphins and three-time Pro Bowl WR Odell Beckham Jr. have mutually agreed to part ways, per sources.
Beckham is hoping for more opportunities elsewhere and the team is granting his release. He’ll be on waivers until Monday. pic.twitter.com/kR1eEDyA1S
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 13, 2024
Beckham was once one of the most dangerous downfield receivers in football, but Dolphins quarterbacks targeted him 10 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage a total of six times — with one completion.
It was a steep drop-off from even 2023, when he averaged 16.1 yards per catch with three touchdowns.
Updated Dolphins Depth Chart
Beckham’s departure, combined with Dee Eskridge’s injury-related unavailability, means the Dolphins have four available wide receivers on their active roster for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
Malik Washington has been and will remain Miami’s WR3. His 221 offensive snaps and 10 catches in 2024 are most by a Dolphins receiver not named Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Beckham’s 15 or so snaps per game will presumably go to Washington and River Cracraft, who has barely seen the field on offense and doesn’t have a catch since coming off injured reserve.
The Dolphins will likely also elevate a wide receiver off the practice squad (either Erik Ezukanma or Tarik Black) for Sunday’s games.
But the reality is that the Dolphins don’t really need or use a third receiver in the passing game, given the emergence of Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane in Miami’s passing game.
Hill, Waddle, Smith, and Achane have combined for 72.8% of all Dolphins targets in 2024, 77.1% of their receptions, 83% of their receiving yards, and 100% of their receiving touchdowns.