For the Baltimore Ravens, the signing of three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr isn’t just the team securing a top wideout. It’s much more than that.
Beckham had a free-agent visit scheduled with the New York Jets for Monday, April 10, but on Easter Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens called the one-time Super Bowl Champ, offering him a contract before he headed to New York. He “felt the love” from Baltimore and decided to sign with the Ravens.
The deal, a one-year contract worth up to $18 million is the largest average annual value among free-agent wide receivers this off-season. It includes a base salary of $1.165 million and a signing bonus of $13.835 million.
For OBJ and the Ravens, it seems as if the partnership will be a great fit. He gives legitimate WR1 potential and will serve as a great mentor to younger receivers Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and Devin Duvernay.
The deal gives the former Los Angeles Ram a chance to show the rest of the NFL that he is still the same elite receiver that he once was before his knee injuries. In eight seasons, the 30 year old has 7,367 receiving yards.
Lots of predictions vary in terms of his production for the coming season, but if he’s targeted enough, he could be a legitimate 1,000 yard receiver once again.
For the Ravens, this signing is much deeper than getting a top-tier wide receiver. As negotiations with Lamar Jackson have hit an impasse in recent weeks, Baltimore was desperate to show the fifth-year quarterback that they are serious when it comes to winning.
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens after negotiations halted and while he did request a trade, it seems as if the two sides are willing to mend their differences and work on a contract extension.
One good sign that showed itself was Jackson posting a facetime call with the newly-acquired Beckham Jr on his Instagram. Then, reports surfaced that the two partied together in Florida after Beckham agreed to terms with the Ravens on Sunday.
While things continue to work themselves out, one thing is for sure: The Ravens’ signing of Odell Beckham Jr. is one that is not only beneficial to Baltimore’s receiving corps, but could also potentially assist in locking down their franchise quarterback.
