Pressure to be Patrick Mahomes' 'savior' why Odell Beckham Jr. won't sign for Chiefs, claims Skip Bayless
Odell Beckham Jr. is closing in on a game-changing decision. The free-agent wide receiver is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win in February. However, he is closing in on a return and the league's heavy-hitters are salivating at the prospect of having the dynamic playmaker on their roster.
The Rams have registered an interest in bringing Beckham back, while former teammate Von Miller has been pushing the wide receiver to join him in Buffalo. But a new contender emerged in the OBJ sweepstakes.
The #Chiefs are a "stronger contender" to sign Odell Beckham, according to PFN. https://t.co/vAsbwv75Fk
The Kansas City Chiefs restructured tight end Travis Kelce's contract to create cap space and will reportedly attempt to lure Beckham to play alongside Patrick Mahomes.
Odell Beckham Jr. to Chiefs not happening, per Skip Bayless
Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless is not buying into the idea of Patrick Mahomes and Odell Beckham Jr. teaming up in Kansas City. On Thursday's episode of Fox Sports' Undisputed, Bayless bullishly claimed:
"I say there is no way Odell goes to Kansas City. If he did, I would be very impressed. But I say there's no way because he's too smart to go to Kansas City. Even though it looks like because Kelce restructured it, looks like the skids have been greased here. It feels like Kelce is saying, 'We need you. I'm actually sacrificing in a way for you.'"
He elaborated on why the wide receiver wouldn't fancy a move to the Chiefs:
"The problem is if Odell would agree to sign with Kansas City, all of a sudden he would be heralded, as he approaches 30 years of age, as the Savior in Kansas City."
He added:
"All of a sudden Odell would be thrust into the lurch. 'Wait a second. You're Oh, you're the new Tyreek Hill.'"
.@RealSkipBayless on Travis Kelce wanting the Chiefs to sign OBJ:
"OBJ is too smart to go to Kansas City because he'll be looked at as the savior and filling the hole left by Tyreek." https://t.co/bTHt1MCdPt
Tyreek Hill's departure to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason left a gaping hole in the Chiefs' offense. Beckham could be a vertical threat in the receiving unit that Kansas City misses in Hill's absence. But with Beckham coming off a serious injury and lengthy layoff, it might be too much to ask from the veteran to replace one of the most potent wide receivers in the game.
It remains to be seen where Odell Beckham Jr. will eventually land.