NFL Rumors: Jerry Jones interested in OBJ despite missing WR's workout
Jerry Jones has expressed interest in signing Odell Beckham Jr. to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys for more than a year now.
Beckham's contract with the Los Angeles Rams expired at the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, making him a free agent in 2022. Jones was reportedly interested in signing him then, but his injury situation has played a major factor.
Beckham suffered a devastating knee injury during his Super Bowl victory with the Rams, prompting Jerry Jones to proceed with patience. The Cowboys were rumored to be close to signing Beckham prior to the start of the NFL playoffs last season, but they apparently felt he wasn't healthy enough to play.
This is likely why Beckham remains a free agent now.
With a new league year and an extensive recovery process, Odell Beckham Jr. appears ready to get back on the football field. Rumors are swirling once again that the Cowboys may be interested in pursuing the superstar wide receiver for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
Beckham could serve as their second wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb, giving Dak Prescott another legitimate weapon in the passing game.
OBJ recently hosted an offseason workout to show potential teams that he's fully recovered and ready to sign a new contract. While Jerry Jones wasn't in attendance, he's still reportedly interested in signing him. According to NFL reporter Jane Slater:
"As the negotiating window gets ready to open, I feel like I could just copy and paste from previous years. The #Cowboys FA strategy looks to stay the same. Sign their own guys. I’m told they didn’t even attend OBJ workout BUT Jerry Jones still interested."
As the negotiating window gets ready to open, I feel like I could just copy and paste from previous years. The #Cowboys FA strategy looks to stay the same. Sign their own guys. I’m told they didn’t even attend OBJ workout BUT Jerry Jones still interested.
The Cowboys have failed to replace Amari Cooper in their offensive scheme since trading him away to the Cleveland Browns last year. Tight end Dalton Schultz is also an unrestricted free agent, furthering their need to improve their passing targets.
Odell Beckham Jr. gives them an ideal opportunity to do so as he's one of the best available free agent wide receivers. While he comes with more risk than most other options, Jones is no stranger to acquiring controversial wide receivers.
Jerry Jones has a history of ignoring off-the-field issues for superstar WRs
Jerry Jones has built a reputation for being willing to give controversial players another chance on the Dallas Cowboys if they can correct their previous behavior.
Ezekiel Elliot, Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, La'el Collins, and Aldon Smith are a few recent examples of this. He also has a history of bringing in polarizing wide receivers if he believes their play on the football field is worth the potential off-the-field risks.
Many former Cowboys wide receivers fit this description, including Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant, and Terrell Owens.
Odell Beckham Jr. could join this list of controversial players, while filling an obvious need for their offense. The other three examples all had successful runs in Dallas, so maybe Beckham can join them in that as well.