Odell Beckham Jr.

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is still available for teams in need of an upgrade on offense, and the team he began his career with is open to a potential reunion.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen told reporters on Tuesday that Beckham "is a player he’d be interested in considering" when he's recovered from the torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI. The Giants drafted Beckham in the first round in 2014, and he went on to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year that season.

During his five seasons in New York, Beckham was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2016 and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2015 and 2016. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four out of his five years with the team, the lone outlier being when he suffered a fractured ankle in 2017.

Beckham was traded from the Giants to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2019 season. While he had a solid first year in Cleveland, his career took a turn when he suffered a torn ACL in 2020. He was waived by the Browns last November after forcing his way off the team, and he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. The 29-year-old went on to help the Rams win their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

The Giants certainly could use another playmaker on the outside. Fourth-year wideout Darius Slayton leads the team with 232 receiving yards, but it's star running back Saquon Barkley who gets most of the attention as he ranks first on the team with 28 receptions and 35 targets.

New York lost veteran receiver Sterling Shepard to a torn ACL in Week 3, and his 154 receiving yards still rank fourth on the team through eight weeks. The team also shipped 2021 first-round pick Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs. Sixth-year receiver Kenny Golladay, the team's prized free-agent acquisition last year, hasn't played since Week 4 after becoming a total non-factor within the Giants offense.

Despite their lack of production from the receiver position, the Giants are one of the best teams in the NFC with a 6-2 record. New York is on a bye this week before returning to action on Nov. 13 against the Houston Texans.

Having already added Christian McCaffrey in a trade, Kyle Shanahan isn't dismissing the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers adding more talent before the end of the season.

During his weekly appearance on KNBR's Murph & Mac Show, Shanahan said the Niners are "open to discussions with everybody" when asked about the rumors connecting the Niners to Odell Beckham Jr.

"We look into everything," Shanahan added. "You don't have to worry about the trade deadline with him because he's out there and he's available. I've always been a fan of Odell, like I feel like most people are. He's that good of a player. But I'm definitely very happy with our receiver group right now and love the receivers that we have."

On Monday's edition of The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Adam Schefter didn't dismiss the possibility of San Francisco making a play for Beckham.

Beckham has been linked to the 49ers in the past, even before last season when he was deciding on a new team following his release from the Cleveland Browns.

Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports reported in March 2019 that San Francisco was among the teams Beckham would prefer to be traded to as the New York Giants were figuring out where to send the three-time Pro Bowler.

The Los Angeles Rams won the Beckham sweepstakes when he signed a one-year deal in November 2021. He was a huge difference-maker during their playoff run, most notably in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers when he had 113 yards on nine receptions.

Beckham tore his ACL in the second quarter of the Rams' 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56. He is still rehabbing the injury and it's unclear when he will be cleared to play.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported last month that NFL insiders believe Beckham might not receive clearance until December, but it could happen at some point in November.

Howe also reported the Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the teams that could have the most serious interest in Beckham.

The 49ers don't really have a need at wide receiver unless they want insurance to protect against injuries. Deebo Samuel sat out Sunday's win over the Rams with a hamstring injury.

A healthy Samuel, McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle are an excellent group of pass-catchers.

Beckham would be more of a luxury item for San Francisco rather than filling a need, but a team with Super Bowl aspirations this season might look to make an aggressive move to potentially put itself over the top.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Odell Beckham Jr. as the free-agent wide receiver continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered during the Super Bowl in February.

Jones referenced OBJ's remarkable one-handed catch against the Cowboys in 2014 during his comments Friday on 105.3 The Fan (via Jon Machota of The Athletic).

"He made the greatest catch I've seen, other than the one Dez [Bryant] made for the touchdown against Green Bay," Jones said. "Bottom line is, Odell is a player that I admire a lot."

Beckham, who began his career as a member of the New York Giants, has enjoyed plenty of success against Dallas in the past. He's recorded 40 catches for 558 yards and seven touchdowns in eight regular-season appearances against America's Team.

In 2020, the three-time Pro Bowler discussed his family's Cowboys fandom.

"All of my family grew up in Texas so they are all huge Cowboy fans," Beckham said. "It has always been kind of a funny story with them as far as being in New York and them being in Dallas. I do not have any animosity, hate or rivalry with them."

Beckham still doesn't have a firm timetable for his return from the knee injury, but he wants to "assess his options" once healthy before signing to ensure he's joining a title contender for the final stages of the season, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

The Cowboys, who own a 5-2 record, could fall into that category, but whether they're in the market for another receiver is unclear.

Dallas is operating with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Noah Brown in three-wide sets, and James Washington could return from a foot injury during the season's second half.

Beckham could provide an upgrade as a No. 2 option behind Lamb if he quickly returns to peak form, but adding another target for quarterback Dak Prescott probably isn't atop the front office's to-do list.

Dallas is back in action Sunday when it hosts the Chicago Bears before heading into its bye week.

Mitchell & Ness is bringing in some serious NBA star power.

Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported Tuesday that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and CJ McCollum are among a number of notable names investing in the sports apparel company.

They were joined by actor Kevin Hart and NFL player Odell Beckham Jr., among others.

Novy-Williams noted Fanatics purchased Mitchell & Ness for $250 million in 2021 in a purchase that involved rappers Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Lil Baby. The investors will hold 25 percent of the company, while Fanatics will hold 75 percent of it.

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin recently sold his ownership stake in the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, meaning there is less conflict of interest for him and the company to partner with these athletes.

The new investors could be involved in new collaborations or marketing measures given the developing partnership.

Mitchell & Ness started in 1904 as a sporting goods company and expanded to make the uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. It is now well known for its vintage jerseys and apparel across a number of sports.

Partnering with some of the NBA's biggest athletes figures to lead to even more designs down the line, and the inclusion of the 76ers' two biggest stars in Harden and Embiid is all the more notable given the company's Philadelphia roots.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is clearly in favor of a reunion with free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

"Absolutely. That's my guy!" Stafford told TMZ Sports when asked if he would want Beckham on the team in the future.

"I keep in contact with him. I know he's been trying to get healthy. We'll see what happens."

Beckham played the back half of last season with the Rams and helped the team win its first Super Bowl in Los Angeles. He notably starred in the playoffs with 21 catches for 288 yards and two scores.

Unfortunately, Beckham suffered a torn ACL during the Super Bowl. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported that he's expected to return to the field in mid-November.

OBJ should have multiple quality options to pick his next team. Of note, the Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly in the mix, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.

But the Rams should be as well. Stafford isn't the only Ram who has publicly expressed interest in Beckham returning, as cornerback Jalen Ramsey has done so too.

At the moment, though, Beckham is working his way back to the field as the NFL season plays out. He'll be an excellent midseason addition wherever he goes.

A "realistic time frame" for the return of free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from a knee injury is reportedly now mid-December.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported the update Wednesday from multiple NFL front-office executives as Beckham continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered during the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI triumph in February.

OBJ caused a stir on social media Tuesday night with a post some interpreted as a hint he was getting close to choosing his next team:

For now, he remains on the free-agent market, with Jeff Howe of The Athletic reporting last week the three-time Pro Bowler "wants to assess his options" once close to an on-field return so he can ensure he's signing with a Super Bowl contender.

While Beckham was one of the league's top targets at his peak, topping 1,300 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons with the New York Giants, injuries have consistently slowed down his career in recent years.

Here's a look at his injury issues in recent years:

• 2017: Limited to four games because of a fractured ankle
• 2018: Missed final four games with a quad injury
• 2019: Core muscle surgery after the season
• 2020: Torn ACL in Week 7
• 2021: Torn ACL in Super Bowl

So it's hard to know exactly what Beckham will be able to provide in 2022 upon his return from the latest knee injury, which is why it'll probably be important for him to suit up for at least a few regular-season games to assess his possible playoff impact.

The 29-year-old LSU product was terrific for the Rams during last season's playoff run, tallying 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns, including a score early in the Super Bowl before exiting the contest.

For a top-tier contender, taking a chance on Beckham is likely a worthwhile venture on the chance he could make one or two game-changing plays in the postseason.

One example is the Buffalo Bills. Linebacker Von Miller, OBJ's teammate with the Rams last season, has stated repeatedly the wideout will be signing with the AFC leaders.

"He's coming here, man," Miller said Sunday. "He's coming to the Bills."

Having Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Beckham at the disposal of Josh Allen would be a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.

It sounds like OBJ is going to take his time to make a decision, and it wouldn't be a shock if he ultimately chose a team on which he could make a larger individual impact rather than being the No. 3 option in Buffalo.

Wherever he lands, it sounds like Beckham is on track to make his 2022 debut somewhere around Week 15.

Odell Beckham Jr. remains a free agent eligible to sign with whomever he pleases, but it appears he's showing interest in a limited number of teams.

Responding to a Twitter post from ESPN's Marc Spears on Thursday that listed the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens as possible landing spots for the star receiver, Beckham responded, "We see eye to eye."

Beckham has been linked to a number of teams since becoming a free agent after his stint with the Rams. In addition to those listed, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have been mentioned as possible landing spots.

However, Beckham has been heavily linked to a return to the Rams, where he spent the second half of the 2021 campaign, and the Bills, where he could team up with former Rams linebacker Von Miller, who has been recruiting him to Buffalo.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show (h/t Mike McDaniel of Sports Illustrated) in August, Miller said:

"Odell is one of my good buddies … we go back six, seven years. The door is open for him to come to the Bills. … Him coming here would really be the icing on the cake and would really put us over the top."

Beckham also attended the Bills-Rams season opener in September and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in front of the Los Angeles crowd. In addition, he and the franchise have expressed mutual interest in a reunion, and the team is keeping his stall in the locker room open in case he decides to re-sign, per the Associated Press' Greg Beacham.

It's unclear if Beckham has the Rams atop his list, though.

Speaking on Richard Sherman's podcast earlier this week, Miller said he believed the wide receiver will "soak in all the love" from interested teams before making a decision. He added that he can see Beckham signing with a new team.

Beckham, who is recovering from a torn ACL, isn't expected to return until sometime around Thanksgiving, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on ESPN Radio's Keyshawn, JWill and Max last month. So there's still plenty of time before we might learn of his decision.