If you’re a star in the National Football League, there’s a very good chance you play for the Los Angeles Rams. They’re not a football team. They’re a galaxy of household names. And the latest to join up is Odell Beckham Jr., who agreed to a one-year deal with the franchise Thursday afternoon, ending his virtual free agency tour after three days.
Odell Beckham Jr. signs with Los Angeles Rams
Beckham picked the Rams over the Packers, who were reportedly the other finalists in the derby for his services. And that decision might have ultimately decided who emerges from the NFC and plays in the Super Bowl — which just so happens will be held at the Rams’ home, SoFi Stadium.
Rams staff and players were already thinking championship when the word got out Thursday. LA’s social media account announced the move with the tweet: “OBJ in LA has a nice ring to it.”
OBJ joins Von Miller in La-La Land
Former Broncos pass rusher Von Miller — who’s only been a member of the franchise for a little over a week and hasn’t even appeared in a game yet — shared a screengrab of a FaceTime convo between the Pro Bowlers on his Instagram story with the text, “Let’s chase this ring, family!!!!”
Never before has a team loaded up midseason for a run like the Rams have. In the past 10 days, they’ve traded for Miller, the NFL active sack leader with 110.5, and OBJ, who was one of the most dynamic playmakers in football before his injuries.
Beckham surely thinks those halcyon days aren’t gone for good. And joining up with a coach like Sean McVay and a quarterback like Matthew Stafford should give him a great opportunity to showcase that he still has it.
Are the Rams and Beckham Jr. a good fit?
But is this the right fit? There’s a lot to consider, beginning with how Beckham’s presence will impact a locker room that has thrived up to this point despite being populated with so many big personalities. The Rams have probably the best defensive player in football, Aaron Donald. Yet, he’s now probably the fifth-most-famous person on the team.
OBJ, meanwhile, is no longer a member of the Cleveland Browns because he had terrible chemistry with Baker Mayfield. Apparently, Beckham Jr. was okay with his dad throwing Mayfield under the bus at the trade deadline. That absolutely will not and cannot happen in LA, where he will probably have an even smaller role than he did in Cleveland.
Beckham Jr.’s role in Los Angeles
As one former NFL coach pointed out to PFN, DeSean Jackson left the Rams because he wasn’t happy about not getting the ball. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp eat up 53.5% of all targets — and those roles are likely not going to change.
Perhaps Van Jefferson gets a demotion. But even if he does, it’s hard to see Beckham being content with being the No. 3 option (Jefferson has averaged a shade over 5 targets per game).
Granted, McVay has built up a war chest of credibility among his peers and current players. It’s hard to fathom he didn’t have a frank conversation with Beckham about his role in LA — and Beckham being happy with it.
“I’m sure Sean will make it work,” a league source tells PFN.
There’s no reason to doubt he will. He has so far.