Cowboys' Jerry Jones Says He Enjoyed 'Every Minute' of Odell Beckham Jr.'s Visit
Dec 6, 2022
Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones stands for the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Dallas Cowboys had a productive meeting with free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the eyes of team owner Jerry Jones.
"We had pretty extensive meetings," he said of Monday's visit on 105.3 The Fan's Shan & RJ (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). "We spent quite a bit of time together. I enjoyed every minute of it. We'll get back together today and see where we go from here. A lot of variables. It has to fit for both parties."
Jones expressed concern that the Cowboys haven't seen Beckham work out in person and said he was "not confident, at all" in signing the three-time Pro Bowler without some sort of workout. He hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL during the Super Bowl in February.
Still, Jones said the Cowboys have "got a good beat" on the torn ACL and what it might mean and are well aware of Beckham's playing resume. He contrasted the situation with the uncertainty teams often have with incoming rookies:
"It's not like a draft pick coming at you, we've got a lot of history here and you take a good look at everything. Not only the obvious, and that's his performance, but also any issues regarding health. So, all of this, we've got to come in with our eyes wide open and it has to be addressed and that's when you see if you can make a deal or not."
On Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Beckham had visited with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills before his trip to Dallas. Rapoport reported the Cowboys were "considered to be the favorite" but that the star wideout may not make a decision until the middle of the week.
Nobody knows what Jones and the team's representatives included in their pitch to Beckham, but they might have only needed to point to the last three weeks.
Dallas made an emphatic statement with a 40-3 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 20 before taking down the Giants on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys followed that with a win over the Indianapolis Colts in which they scored 33 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
At 9-3, Mike McCarthy's squad may not have the NFL's best record, but it is one of the strongest in the league. Among the reported finalists, the Cowboys might give Beckham his best shot at winning a second Super Bowl title.
Odell Beckham Jr. Says Cowboys Have 'Good Possibility' of Signing Him to Contract
Dec 6, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Odell Beckham Jr. of the Rams with the Vince Lombarbi Trophy during an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills on September 08, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
Dallas Cowboys fans hoping for their team to sign Odell Beckham Jr. might not have to wait much longer.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN asked the wide receiver how likely it is that the Cowboys will sign him, and he responded by saying, "It's a good possibility."
The comment came after Beckham visited the team Monday.
Dallas isn't the only team interested in landing the LSU product. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that OBJ also met with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills and planned on making a decision by the middle of this week ahead of the stretch run.
While Beckham played for the Giants during the first five seasons of his career, the Bills and Cowboys stand out.
If he signed with Buffalo, he could catch passes from Josh Allen and take advantage of the spacing that comes with playing alongside Stefon Diggs. The same could be said about Dallas with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
There was a time when Beckham was a No. 1 wide receiver, as he recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six seasons.
However, his health is a question mark after he suffered a torn ACL while helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals. An NFC executive said there is "considerable doubt" about whether Beckham is healthy and can play effectively, per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.
"And that's a problem because Beckham has informed teams he's seeking a multiyear contract that he hopes will end up being worth $20 million per year," Vacchiano wrote.
Yet the Cowboys have made no secret about their desire to add him to an offense that already has Prescott, Lamb, Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown.
A number of players have said they want him on the team, and the version of Beckham who scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl and posted nine catches and 113 receiving yards in the NFC Championship Game last season could be quite the difference-maker.
It appears as if there is a solid chance Beckham will go for a second straight ring while wearing a Cowboys uniform.
Odell Beckham Jr. Need Not Apply: Dallas Cowboys Are Already a Contender
Dec 5, 2022
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) carries the ball during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts on December 4, 2022 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
A potential Odell Beckham Jr. signing is a luxury for the Dallas Cowboys. The team is already built to win at a high level now. In fact, Jerry Jones' squad is operating at a Super Bowl standard with a 9-3 record.
With Sunday's 54-19 victory over the spiraling-into-the-abyss Indianapolis Colts, the Cowboys did what good teams should do: They didn't play their best ball yet still found ways to win. Not only did Dallas capture another tally in the win column, the contest quickly became a blowout in the fourth quarter.
During victory Monday, the organization will celebrate by hosting Beckham. The open flirtation between these two parties has been as embarrassing as teenage public displays of affection.
Coincidentally, Beckham tweeted he "will return to greatness" a day before the visit.
A week ago, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that the Cowboys were "moving full steam ahead" in pursuit of the 30-year-old wide receiver. An incident aboard an American Airlines flight last week where Beckham had to be removed from the plane for reportedly going "in and out of consciousness" didn't even faze Jones.
"It did not," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan (h/t The Athletic's Jon Machota). "His overall team compatibility, his judgment, his behavior is not an issue with him. It is with many, but not with him."
The owner didn't mince words on why he wanted to sign the target, who hasn't played since he tore his ACL in Super Bowl LVI.
"We have to have this year," Jones said. "It's very important, the things we do to have him impact this year. This year has to be a big part of it. We have six regular-season games and the playoffs, we have, in my mind, almost the whole show ahead of us. We got to have a situation where he can really contribute now."
Jerry Jones watches before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Cowboys don't really, though. A move born out of desperation after years of disappointment could upset the balance of one of the NFL's best teams.
The fourth-quarter performance showed exactly why the Cowboys are so dangerous as currently constructed. They're not reliant on a singular player or one phase of the game. Their roster is as well-rounded as any.
Entering Sunday's final frame, the Cowboys held a tenuous two-point lead. The Colts moved the ball late in the third quarter, which resulted in an impressive 15-yard scoring grab by rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce.
From that point forward, Dallas scored 33 unanswered points in a variety of manners:
Wide receiver Michael Gallup snagged a three-yard lob pass from quarterback Dak Prescott.
Safety Malik Hooker converted a 38-yard scoop-and-score after Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox fumbled.
Tony Pollard ripped off a 30-yard touchdown run against one of the league's best rushing defenses. In fact, the Cowboys gained 79 rushing yards over expected against an Indianapolis defense that had previously allowed the fewest in the category, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Ezekiel Elliott slammed his way into the end zone from four yards out for Dallas' penultimate score.
Third-string running back Malik Davis called game when the undrafted rookie went up the gut for a 23-yard touchdown.
With the scoreboard stuck on tilt, the Cowboys forced four turnovers during that stretch. DaRon Bland, who stepped in for injured cornerback Anthony Brown, grabbed a pair of interceptions. Unfortunately, Brown looks to have suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, according to Jones.
The 33 unanswered fourth-quarter points became the second-most ever in NFL history, per ESPN Stats & Info. It's also Dallas' sixth game with four or more takeaways since Dan Quinn took over as defensive coordinator, which is the most by any unit since the start of the 2021 campaign.
Players all over the roster are having an impact for Dallas. McCarthy's group has won five of their last six games, with the only loss coming in overtime to the Green Bay Packers.
Odell Beckham Jr. is seen on the sidelines before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
The possible addition of the mercurial wide receiver could upset the balance within the current setup. However, a healthy Beckham could be beneficial based purely on his skill set. After all, he provided the Los Angeles Rams a spark last season after the Cleveland Browns released him last November.
But his health remains in question, and Jones clearly stated Beckham's addition is based on what he can do right now.
"There is 'considerable doubt' around the league about just how healthy Beckham is, one NFC executive said, and whether he'll really be able to contribute much this season," FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano reported.
Besides, competition for the wide receiver's services remains stiff. Beckham already visited the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. Suspiciously, Beckham's free-agent stops have not and will not include on-field workouts, according to the New York Post's Paul Schwartz.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that Beckham prefers a reunion with the Giants. Dallas' NFC East counterpart is certainly more desperate to land his services since New York has next to nothing among its wide receiver corps.
Furthermore, the G-Men fell 1.5 games behind the Cowboys for second place in the division with Sunday's tie against the Washington Commanders.
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Dallas already features numerous weapons.
Elliott and Pollard are a dynamic duo in the backfield. CeeDee Lamb is a slippery and explosive top target. Gallup caught two touchdown passes against the Colts. Tight end Dalton Schultz is currently designated as the organization's franchise player after getting the tag last offseason.
The return on investment in Beckham, who is looking for a multi-year deal, might be minimal, especially in the short term.
"We've just got to get down to a contract, an amount and health," Jones reiterated after the game. "There's no question in my mind that under the right circumstances, he can help us."
As of now, Dallas is very much in the conversation as the second-best team the NFC has to offer, only behind the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones doesn't need to be blinded by shiny objects or make another splashy signing.
The Cowboys are for real. They can beat anyone in the NFL. An addition just to make one at this point of the season isn't enough reason to possibly disturb everything going right at the moment.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
Odell Beckham Jr. Tweets He 'Will Return to Greatness' Ahead of Cowboys Visit
Dec 5, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made a pledge to his son as he inches closer toward his return to the NFL.
The three-time Pro Bowler tweeted Sunday he "WILL return to greatness" and wrote to his son, Zydn, "I gotta have u see this."
I WILL return to greatness … Zydn, I promise u son. I promise u. I gotta have u see this . I love u Z
Beckham is in the middle of his free agency tour. He met with representatives from the New York Giants on Thursday before visiting with the Buffalo Bills. On Monday, he'll see officials from the Dallas Cowboys.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday the Cowboys are "considered to be the favorite" but that he won't make any decisions Monday. Instead, the 30-year-old will weigh all of the options with his family and could come to a ruling "by the middle of this week," per Rapoport.
Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors: WR to Decide Midweek on Giants, Cowboys or Bills Contract
Dec 4, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Odell Beckham Jr. of the Rams with the Vince Lombarbi Trophy during an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills on September 08, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
The Odell Beckham Jr. saga is reportedly near an end.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "the middle of the week is the plan" for the free-agent wide receiver when it comes to a timeline for a decision. Rapoport noted Beckham already visited the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants ahead of a meeting with the Dallas Cowboys, who are considered the "favorites."
From @NFLGameDay: The Odell Beckham Jr sweepstakes are upon us, as he’s visited the #Giants and #Bills already, with the #Cowboys on tap. He plans to leave Dallas, then discuss his future with his family and make a decision by the middle of this week. pic.twitter.com/l1pRUURmav
The biggest question mark surrounding Beckham other than which team he will join is his health.
The 30-year-old suffered a torn ACL during the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reported one NFC executive said there remains "considerable doubt" about how healthy he is and whether he can effectively play this season.
"And that's a problem because Beckham has informed teams he's seeking a multiyear contract that he hopes will end up being worth $20 million per year," Vacchiano wrote.
There was a time when signing Beckham would have been a season-altering move for any team.
He surpassed 1,300 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons and 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six years in the league. The three-time Pro Bowler was known for his spectacular catches and ability to high-point passes in traffic as one of the best wide receivers in the league.
To Beckham's credit, he was solid last season for the Rams and tallied 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games. He also posted 113 receiving yards in the NFC Championship Game win over the San Francisco 49ers and scored in the Super Bowl win over the Bengals before exiting with the injury.
Buffalo and Dallas are both Super Bowl contenders with plenty of talent, so Beckham would not be asked to play the role of a No. 1 wide receiver.
That worked for the Rams, as he took advantage of the spacing created by playing alongside Cooper Kupp while catching passes from Matthew Stafford. Perhaps he can do the same with Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen in Buffalo or CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott in Dallas.
There is also history with the Giants since he played his first five seasons in New York. However, the team is trending in the wrong direction with three losses in their last four games after a blistering 6-1 start.
Beckham has plenty to consider, but it seems like he won't be considering for much longer.
NFC Exec: There's 'Considerable Doubt' About Odell Beckham's Health amid Injury Rehab
Dec 3, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Odell Beckham Jr. holds the Super Bowl LVI trophy before the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
There is "considerable doubt" about the health of Odell Beckham Jr. as he prepares to make his NFL return.
Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reported there is some concern about whether Beckham will be a major factor this season given it's already December and he's yet to take a snap since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI.
The injury was Beckham's second ACL tear in the same knee in as many seasons. Given the fact he is just now nearing 10 months since the injury, it would be a surprise if Beckham were anything close to resembling his former All-Pro self.
Under the most optimistic of circumstances, Beckham will have a chance to play just five regular-season games before the playoffs begin. That would require him to sign early next week and then be on the field just says later—a highly unlikely scenario. It's possible Beckham does not wind up playing more than one or two regular-season games, which further complicates contract talks with teams.
Vacchiano's report indicated Beckham has been seeking $20 million per year. That's not happening. There is no circumstance in which Beckham signs a deal at anything resembling that number; he would arguably be lucky to get half of that figure.
Beckham has not made a Pro Bowl since the 2016 season and has just two 1,000-yard seasons in the last five years. Even before the injury issues, there were legitimate questions about whether Beckham was the same type of dynamic star who burst on to the scene with Hall of Fame-caliber numbers.
While there has been no shortage of interest in Beckham since he was cleared for a return, teams are going to be understandably cautious in negotiations. A one-year deal doesn't do much for teams given the uncertainty of Beckham's health, so expect a two-year deal under team-friendly terms that allows the 30-year-old to truly show out in 2023.
Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors: WR Wants to Sign Giants Contract Amid Cowboys, Bills Buzz
Dec 3, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Some close to the situation reportedly believe that free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants to return to the New York Giants.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan said that in talking to people, he believes Beckham "wants to be a Giant" due to the "lure" of making the New York City area a home for his family and winning in a big market.
Raanan added that it is a matter of whether the Giants want to pay Beckham the type of money he desires, and Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports noted that a league executive called the G-Men "the longest of longshots" because of doubts that they will want to make a big financial commitment.
The 30-year-old veteran suffered a torn ACL in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals last season, and while it has been a long road back,
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported this week that people close to the situation said OBJ has been completely cleared to return.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that the team had a "good visit" with Beckham this week, but that was only the first of three known stops for the star receiver.
ESPN reported that Beckham was scheduled to meet with the Buffalo Bills on Friday and the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, making the Giants, Bills and Cowboys the top candidates to sign him.
Beckham spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Giants after they made him the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, and he was spectacular out of the gates, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of his first three seasons.
OBJ also finished with at least 90 receptions, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of those seasons, but injuries slowed him considerably over the next two years, and he was traded to the Cleveland Browns.
When the relationship between Beckham and the Browns deteriorated, he was waived last season, and the Rams signed him, which turned out to be a huge move for their Super Bowl run.
In eight regular-season games for the Rams, Beckham recorded 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns. He raised his level of play even more during the playoffs with 21 grabs for 288 yards and two scores in four games.
The Giants, Bills and Cowboys are all playoff teams currently, and Beckham could provide any of their offenses with a huge boost down the stretch if he is indeed healthy enough to play.
It can be argued that the Giants have the most glaring need at wide receiver among those teams since Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson are both injured, Kadarius Toney was traded and Kenny Golladay was a non-factor.
The Bills and Cowboys could use complementary receivers, but with Stefon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb, respectively, they can win with or without OBJ.
If Beckham does indeed have a desire to go back to New York, the Giants would be wise to take advantage of that and give quarterback Daniel Jones a much-needed top weapon in the passing game.
Troy Aikman: 'I'd Bet Virtually Everything' Odell Beckham Jr. Signs with Cowboys
Dec 2, 2022
Odell Beckham Jr. poses for a photo on the sidelines before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. still hasn't decided which team he will sign with, but ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman believes he knows where the 30-year-old will end up.
During a radio appearance on Friday, Aikman said he's already convinced that Beckham is destined to land with the Dallas Cowboys:
Troy Aikman on @dfwticket: “If I was betting, I’d bet virtually everything I have on (Odell Beckham signing w/ Dallas). I’ve never known Jerry to lose a player he’s wanted. I think it’ll definitely happen. …On paper, it makes them a lot better. I think it would be a great move.”
Beckham has been flirting with the idea of signing with Dallas for weeks now. Early in November, he named the Cowboys as one of four teams he would be interested in joining after he completed his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI while he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
The interest has been mutual, as Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb both endorsed the possibility of the team signing Beckham. Dallas star defensive players Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and DeMarcus Lawrence all recruited Beckham on social media after he reacted to the team's 40-3 blowout win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Cowboys are not alone in pursuing Beckham, as they face competition from an NFC East rival. New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that he had dinner with Beckham on Thursday night and described it as a "good visit."
Beckham was drafted 12th overall by the Giants in 2014 and spent five seasons with the team. He quickly established himself as one of the top receivers in the league, recording over 1,000 yards in four of his five years in New York. The LSU was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns and spend two-and-a-half seasons with the franchise before signing with Los Angeles midway through the 2021 campaign.
If Aikman's prediction comes true, Beckham could provide an extra spark for a Cowboys team that is hoping for a deep postseason run this year. At 8-3, Dallas is firmly entrenched in the playoff race and will go for its third straight win when it hosts the Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) on Sunday Night Football.
Brian Daboll Says Odell Beckham Jr., Giants Had a 'Good Visit' amid Cowboys Rumors
Dec 2, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Odell Beckham Jr. of the Rams with the Vince Lombarbi Trophy during an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills on September 08, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll gave a positive update on the team's meeting with free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this week.
Daboll told reporters the organization had a "good visit" with Beckham on Thursday night and that the wideout would meet with other people at the team facilities Friday.
Per ESPN, Beckham is also scheduled to meet with the Buffalo Bills on Friday and the Dallas Cowboys on Monday.
OBJ has remained unsigned since the offseason during his recovery from a torn ACL suffered during the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported this week that someone close to Beckham said he had been fully cleared from his injury, meaning he could be in line to play shortly after signing with a team.
Signing with the Giants would represent the biggest possible feel-good story for OBJ since he began his NFL career with the G-Men.
New York selected Beckham with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of LSU, and he instantly established himself as one of the league's top pass-catchers.
Beckham finished with at least 90 receptions, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his first three NFL seasons, and he made the Pro Bowl each of those years.
Injuries slowed Beckham down in the years that followed, though, and the Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2019 season.
When Beckham's tenure in Cleveland went south after less than two full seasons, he was waived and signed with the Rams, with whom he made a major impact.
Along with now-Bills pass-rusher Von Miller, Beckham was a huge acquisition ahead of their Super Bowl run last season, as he recorded 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games for L.A.
He was even better in the playoffs, racking up 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four games, including the opening touchdown of the Super Bowl.
Little was expected of the Giants in 2022, but with Daboll taking over as head coach, they have turned the corner more quickly than anyone could have guessed.
On the heels of five consecutive losing seasons, the Giants are 7-4 and would be a playoff team if the season ended today.
Much of that can be owed to a solid defense and one of the NFL's top running games behind running back Saquon Barkley. Quarterback Daniel Jones and the passing game have left something to be desired, but a lack of weapons has undoubtedly played a role.
Wideouts Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson are both injured, Kadarius Toney was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs and Kenny Golladay has continued to be a nonfactor.
The Giants have had to lean on the likes of Darius Slayton, Richie James, David Sills and Isaiah Hodgins, leaving Jones without a go-to guy.
Beckham would be precisely that. If he chooses the Giants, getting to be the No. 1 receiver may be part of the reason why, as he would play second fiddle to CeeDee Lamb in Dallas and Stefon Diggs in Buffalo.
Odell Beckham Jr. Pursuit Will Get 'Very Competitive', Says Cowboys' Stephen Jones
Nov 28, 2022
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. lines up for a play during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Dallas Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones expects a battle to sign free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
"It's getting to that point where this thing's going to get very competitive, and probably the less said the better until we know what that outcome's going to be in terms of where he's going to suit up," Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Monday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he had a "good meeting" with Beckham virtually on Thursday, while he's expected to formally visit the team on Dec. 5, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Beckham is also expected to meet with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.
The Cowboys have seemingly been the most aggressive in recruiting Beckham with public statements from players and the front office.
"Odell could help us. I believe that right now," Jerry Jones told reporters. "Now, we got to make it fit. That's the challenge."
Quarterback Dak Prescott also said he reached out to Beckham directly and there is mutual interest, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News.
There will still be competition for Beckham's signature, including from former teammates.
Saquon Barkley said he has reached out on behalf of the New York Giants, while Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller has also kept in touch with the wideout.
The three-time Pro Bowler can clearly make a difference for whichever team lands him. Beckham helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl last year, scoring two postseason touchdowns including one in the title game.
The Cowboys are hoping he can make a similar impact this season after an 8-3 start to the year.