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Odell Beckham Jr. Discusses Reaching 2022 Super Bowl With Rams: 'This is Everything'
Jan 31, 2022
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Much like Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been waiting his entire career for an appearance in the Super Bowl, and he still can't believe it's finally happening.
"This is everything," Beckham said following a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. "This is everything. You know, I've been through a lot. I prayed up. I stay prayed up and God came through. So, just gotta enjoy the moment."
Beckham was L.A.'s second-best receiver on Sunday night behind Cooper Kupp, catching nine passes for 113 yards.
The 29-year-old signed with the Rams after being released by the Cleveland Browns in November. Shortly after signing with the Rams, Beckham said heading to L.A. "felt right in my heart and in my soul," and now that the team is off to the Super Bowl, he surely doesn't regret his decision.
Beckham began his NFL career with the New York Giants, who selected him 12th overall, in 2014. He spent five seasons with the franchise before joining the Browns in 2019. His only postseason appearance before this season came during the 2016 campaign when the Giants lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round.
When Beckham joined the Rams, he wasn't projected to have a major impact in Sean McVay's system. However, when Robert Woods went down with a torn ACL, it opened the door for Beckham to have a more significant role alongside Kupp and Van Jefferson.
In eight regular season games with the Rams, Beckham caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns. And before Sunday's NFC Championship Game, he tallied 14 catches for 151 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds.
While the Super Bowl is typically played at a neutral site, the Rams will have the opportunity to win it all on their home turf at SoFi Stadium when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals. That alone will make a win that much more special.
And if Beckham walks away a champion, he'll likely be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this offseason.
LeBron James Praises Odell Beckham Jr. After Rams Clinch 2022 Super Bowl Berth
Jan 31, 2022
Los Angeles Rams' Odell Beckham Jr. warms up before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
After praising Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for his performance in Sunday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James turned his attention to his old friend Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham and the Los Angeles Rams clinched a spot in the Super Bowl against Burrow and the Bengals with a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday night, and James praised Beckham for his performance.
@obj going to the SuperBowl!!! Did y’all see the game he just had! EARNED NOT GIVEN!!
The veteran receiver had an incredible game, catching nine passes for 113 yards. He trailed only Cooper Kupp, who caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
James has been vocal in his support of Beckham since the star receiver was a member of the Cleveland Browns. Before the Browns released Beckham in November, James tweeted "#FreeOBJ."
OBJ will show again why he’s special. WR1 #FreeOBJ
While James' Lakers are having a rough go of things with a 24-27 record, the Rams are off to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, and it's all thanks to players like Beckham, Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and more.
Odell Beckham Jr. Earns $750K Contract Incentive with Rams' Playoff Win Over 49ers
Jan 31, 2022
Los Angeles Rams' Odell Beckham Jr. warms up before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Thanks to the Los Angeles Rams' win over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has some more money in the bank.
ESPN's Field Yates reported that Los Angeles' trip to Super Bowl LVI nets Beckham a $750,000 incentive, and he has now totaled $2 million in playoff win incentives this season. Beckham has a chance to make another $1 million if the Rams win the championship.
Beckham registered nine catches for 113 yards in Los Angeles' 20-17 win. He now has 19 catches for 236 yards and a touchdown in the 2021 postseason.
Beckham signed with the Rams on a one-year deal in November after he was released by the Cleveland Browns following a disappointing and tumultuous three-year tenure. His gamble on himself more than paid off.
In six games this year with the Browns, Beckham had 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns. He recorded 27 catches for 305 yards and reached the end zone five times in eight regular-season games with the Rams.
Los Angeles entered the season considered to be among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. The midyear addition of Beckham and trading for Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller pushed the Rams to the head of the pack, and they were able to deliver Sunday.
The Rams overcame a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to earn the victory. Cooper Kupp scored on an 11-yard pass from Matthew Stafford early in the final frame, and veteran kicker Matt Gay followed with a pair of field goals.
Los Angeles will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13.
Von Miller: Odell Beckham Jr. Told Me Not to Join Browns When We Discussed Teaming Up
Jan 29, 2022
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 23: Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) stands along the sidelines during the NFC Divisional game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 23, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Von Miller
said teammate Odell Beckham Jr. delivered a simple message when they
discussed teaming up during workouts last offseason.
"Don't come to Cleveland," Beckham
said, as Miller described in an interview with Greg Bishop of Sports
Illustrated on Friday.
They ended up landing in L.A. a short
time apart. Miller was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Rams on
Nov. 1, and Beckham signed there just 10 days later after being waived
by the Browns.
The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver's
career was derailed during his two-plus year stay in Cleveland. After
a dominant start to his NFL tenure with the New York Giants,
including three straight years with at least 1,300 receiving yards and
10 touchdowns, he posted more pedestrian numbers with the Browns, thanks in part to injuries.
Beckham had also become basically frozen out
of the Cleveland offense this year, tallying just 17 catches
through six appearances, and it led his father, Odell Beckham Sr., to
post an 11-minute Instagram video showing how his son was being
misused.
The 29-year-old LSU product was
released by the Browns less than a week later and generated interest
from several contenders, but Miller told Bishop the receiver was
ready to make their offseason conversations become reality.
"It's time, man," Beckham told
Miller. "Time to put it all together."
The veterans have played a key role in
helping the Rams earn a place opposite the San Francisco 49ers in
Sunday's NFC Championship Game.
Miller recorded 10 total tackles, two
sacks and a forced fumble in playoff wins over the Arizona Cardinals
and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Beckham tallied 10 receptions for 123 yards
and one touchdown in those contests.
Both players are also scheduled to
become unrestricted free agents this offseason, so they will have the
opportunity to continue their partnership, either in Los Angeles or
elsewhere.
Just don't bet on Cleveland as the
destination if they decide to link up with a new team.
Odell Beckham Jr. Earns $750K Contract Incentive With Rams' Playoff Win vs. Bucs
Jan 24, 2022
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs a route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
The Los Angeles Rams signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with $3 million in team-based performance incentives last November, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
So it's $1.25 million base pay for the rest of the year, $3 million max in incentives. To trigger the incentives, he has to play in at least 1 play of each of the aforementioned playoff games.
Also, Beckham gets $4.25 million from the Browns. None of that is offset.
Naturally, the Rams are showing Beckham the money as they advance through the playoffs, and he earned himself another $750,000 with L.A.'s 30-27 NFC Divisional Round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
He already earned $500,000 in incentives after the Rams' 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wild Card round.
A total of $1.75 million more could be on the table with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game ($750,000) and a subsequent victory in the Super Bowl ($1 million).
All Beckham has had to do is participate in one play in each of the Rams' playoff games so far to trigger the incentive, but he's been a key contributor to the offense.
Beckham had four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown (alongside a 40-yard pass) versus the Cardinals and added six receptions for 69 receiving yards against the Bucs.
Now he'll look to help the Rams make the Super Bowl in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Two games down. Two to go. The NFL 's divisional round kicked off with unpredictability, and the stage is set for more theatrics. In Saturday's slate, both underdogs took care of business...
Rams Set to Become NFL Season's Biggest Losers If They Can't Defeat Buccaneers
Jan 20, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams during warm up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round of the 2021 playoffs. It's a game that not only has L.A.'s season riding on it but also the franchise's Super Bowl window.
The Rams went all-in to win a title this year, frustrated by a missed playoff appearance and second-round exit in the years following their Super Bowl LIII appearance.
While splashy transactions have undoubtedly helped Los Angeles take a leap forward—the team won the NFC West for the first time since 2018 and obliterated the rival Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card Round—these moves also make anything short of a championship run a failure.
No franchise has invested as much into star talent and mortgaged as much of its future to win now.
The Rams traded away the majority of their early-round picks in the next two drafts to acquire just two players: Von Miller and Matthew Stafford.
Both have undoubtedly been strong additions to the roster. Stafford threw for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns this year—respectively the third- and second-best marks in the league—while Miller notched five sacks over the final four games and another in the Wild Card Round.
As good as L.A.'s marquee pickups have been, the team now has little in the way of reinforcements arriving if this roster can't break through as it is currently constructed.
Stafford and Miller were just the latest in a string of high-cost moves that have depleted the team's war chest.
While the Rams are no stranger to dealing their top picks—they gave up a 2018 first-rounder for Brandin Cooks, a 2018 second-rounder for Sammy Watkins, a 2019 second-rounder for Marcus Peters, a 2019 third-rounder for Dante Fowler Jr. and 2020 and 2021 first-rounders for Jalen Ramsey—they sent out more high-end draft capital in 2021 than ever before.
L.A. won't be on the clock until its compensatory third-round selection this year. The organization shipped off its first-rounder for Stafford—the first of two Round 1 picks the QB cost the club—and second- and third-rounders to acquire Miller.
The Rams will be missing more than a first-rounder next year, too, as they coughed up a fourth-round selection, as well as a 2022 sixth-rounder, to pry Sony Michel away from the Patriots.
With only one second-round pick and a pair of third-rounders to work with over the next two years, the Rams will be in rough shape if this lineup can't navigate past the Bucs this weekend.
Not only will there be few, if any blue-chip prospects arriving in Southern California through the draft, but L.A. will also find it difficult to acquire free-agent talent on the open market.
Los Angeles is one of just five franchises that Over the Cap is projecting will be in the red this coming offseason. The organization will have to clear $4.5 million from the books to get compliant before the new league year begins.
The Rams have almost no salary-cap rollover going into next season, either. They'll be getting a meager $137,725 tacked onto the cap next year, the third-least in the NFL. In comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs will have an additional $1.3 million in cap space next year.
The Rams have options to cut costs, but they aren't pretty.
They could save $15.5 million by releasing Andrew Whitworth, but the 40-year-old has been one of the NFL's most reliable left tackles—earning an impressive 86.1 PFF grade—during a historic 2021 campaign.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Andrew Whitworth #77 of the Los Angeles Rams during warm up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Robert Woods may be the most sensible cut, a move that would shed $10 million if the Rams cut him after June 1, but the 29-year-old was the club's second-best wideout before going down with a season-ending ACL tear.
Other cost-saving cuts, such as defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein, have been significant contributors this year.
It's readily apparent that the Rams do not have a large window to win the Super Bowl with these financial problems, especially with key players like Miller, Austin Corbett and Odell Beckham Jr. among the 13 players hitting unrestricted free agency this coming offseason.
The front office will struggle to offer new deals to these stars and find a way to bring in more free-agent depth while staying under the cap.
Aaron Donald, perhaps the biggest star on a team full of them, recently spoke about the talent level in Los Angeles (per ESPN's Lindsey Thiry).
"We definitely got a special group with a lot of big-time talent," he said. "It is surreal when you look at it, but you just expect big things. ... Me, personally, knowing the players we got, with the coaches we got, it's like sky is the limit."
While Donald is spot-on that this organization employs some of the NFL's best players, the Rams were far from perfect during the 2021 season.
Three of their five losses were by double-digit margins, they lost more games at home than on the road and squandered a chance to improve their seeding in the season finale.
The 49ers finished a sweep of Los Angeles in that Week 18 contest, coming back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to win in overtime, knocking the Rams down to the NFC's No. 4 seed in the process.
Some of the Rams' most fatal flaws are a result of their hefty commitment to star players.
The club has a weak secondary around Ramsey and has been unable to consistently stop the run despite Donald's presence in the defensive trenches.
LA ranked No. 17 in total defense and No. 15 in scoring defense this year, a significant step back from last year's unit that led the league in both categories.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his forced fumbles recovered by Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams, against the Jacksonville Jaguars with teammates during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on D
Even Stafford hasn't had a tremendous amount of success throwing the ball outside of Cooper Kupp, the MVP candidate wideout who accomplished a rare receiving triple crown this year.
Kupp's 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns accounted for a large portion of Stafford's statistics, with only one other wideout—Van Jefferson—eclipsing 600 yards or five scores this season.
L.A. may have ripped off a statement win over Arizona on Monday, but it faces a much bigger challenge during this upcoming trip to Tampa.
While the Rams secured a convincing 34-24 win over the Bucs in Week 3, the stakes are much higher this time around.
No quarterback has had as much success in the playoffs as Tom Brady, the future Hall of Famer who Los Angeles will need to vanquish to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Brady memorably got the best of McVay's side with the Lombardi Trophy on the line three years ago with the Patriots, and the QB looked to be in peak form against the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend.
Head coach Sean McVay believes L.A.'s wild-card win, the club's second straight opening-round playoff victory, was a confidence-builder but knows his players can't rest on their laurels, per Nicholas Cothrel of SI.com.
"I certainly think you can take a lot of confidence from it," he said. "I think our guys also know that what they did last night won't have anything to do with what we need to do on Sunday in Tampa."
If the Rams can't become the first squad to beat Brady's Bucs in the playoffs, they'll be exiting in the divisional round for the second consecutive year.
It would be a defeat that not only makes L.A. the biggest loser of the 2021 season but also slams shut a Super Bowl window that will quickly become too costly to keep open.
Odell Beckham Jr. Drug-Tested by NFL After Rams' Playoff Win over Cardinals
Jan 19, 2022
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) smiles during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Odell Beckham Jr.'s stellar performance in the Los Angeles Rams' wild-card win over the Arizona Cardinals ended with him taking a performance-enhancing drug test.
Beckham revealed the NFL contacted him to undergo a random drug test following the opening round of the playoffs.
Beckham hauled in four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 34-11 victory over their division rivals. He's caught six touchdowns in nine games with the Rams (including playoffs) after hauling in only seven scores in 29 games with the Cleveland Browns.
NFL drug tests are randomly selected, so Beckham's performance didn't actually have anything to do with his being tested. Each week, the NFL selects 10 players randomly from each roster to undergo testing.
That said, it's always a little amusing when a player goes off for a big performance then sees his name ping up on the PED testing list.
Matthew Stafford, Odell Beckham Jr. Lead Rams to Blowout over Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Jan 18, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are headed to the second round of the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-11 in Monday's NFC Wild Card Round matchup at SoFi Stadium. Matthew Stafford accounted for three touchdowns for the victors, who earned the most important win over their divisional rival after splitting their two regular-season games.
James Conner, RB, AZ: 4 carries for 19 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch for 5 yards
Rams Roll to Stafford's 1st Career Playoff Win
The biggest storyline from Los Angeles' perspective was rather obvious considering Stafford was going for his first postseason win after losing all three of his playoff games with the Detroit Lions.
One way to put any nerves to rest is getting out to a quick start, and the Rams did just that while jumping out to a 21-0 halftime lead. While Stafford-to-Cooper Kupp has been the go-to connection all season, it was the supporting cast that shone the brightest with the Cardinals focusing so much attention on the No. 1 wideout.
Odell Beckham Jr. hauled in the opening touchdown on a fade route in the corner of the end zone and broke free multiple times, while Tyler Higbee found some openings underneath. Sony Michel and Cam Akers also found some running room, and Stafford scored the second touchdown with a quarterback sneak.
Throw in a dominant showing from the defense, and the home team was in full cruise control mode by the start of the second half.
Cruise control meant the Rams could have some fun, and they did just that with a trick play that saw Beckham complete a 40-yard pass to Akers. It also felt like just a matter of time before Kupp got involved, and the trick play set up his touchdown catch on a perfectly placed ball from Stafford.
The Rams didn't need No. 9 to make many throws with the way the game unfolded, but he looked perfectly comfortable when he unleashed another dime downfield to Van Jefferson to set up a field goal.
While upsetting the great Tom Brady in the next round may be a different story, Stafford was anything but overwhelmed by the moment. The Rams traded for him to win games like this, and they delivered in convincing fashion.
Cardinals Can't Overcome Early Mistakes
Murray wasted little time announcing himself as a star after the Cardinals selected him with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, but Monday was the first opportunity of his career to play on a playoff stage.
It quickly turned into a nightmare.
The Cardinals finished the first quarter with minus-three total yards from scrimmage as they struggled to block Aaron Donald and Von Miller up front. Mistakes also proved costly, as A.J. Green dropped a pass and a trick play lateral from Christian Kirk to James Conner was ruled a forward pass and a penalty.
Things went from bad to worse when Murray just threw the ball up for grabs while trying to avoid a safety for what turned into the easiest pick-six David Long Jr. will have in his career. He also threw another pick when a screen pass bounced straight up off Conner's hands and into the waiting arms of Marquise Copeland.
The Cardinals finally broke through with a touchdown on their first possession of the second half, but even that wasn't without its problems considering they were down 28-0 at the start of a drive that lasted 12 plays and more than six minutes. Murray scrambled for a fourth-down conversion to keep the long drive alive before Conner scored, but time was a real factor at that point.
It was the only bright spot for the visitors while the game was even somewhat up for grabs, and there were even bigger concerns than the game when Budda Baker was carted off the field.
Murray will surely have more postseason opportunities in the future, but the Cardinals were outplayed from the start and looked nothing like the team that started 10-2 before a late collapse that continued into the playoffs.
What's Next?
The Rams advanced to the NFC Divisional Round where they will face the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
