Odell Beckham Jr.’s New York homecoming was supposed to be the feel-good story of the 2026 NFL season. Instead, it’s over. The New York Giants reportedly released Beckham Jr. after he played just three games back with the franchise that drafted him in 2014. Now the receiver has responded with four words, confirming his exit.
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“Text from OBJ that I missed sitting in my phone the last 30min: ‘I just got released,'” NFL insider Josina Anderson wrote on X.
Even NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported his release, noting that the wide receiver has not “featured much” after earning a spot on the team and the two sides parted ways mutually, concluding it was “best for everyone.”
Odell Beckham Jr. re-signed with the New York Giants – the franchise that drafted him as the first-round pick in 2014 – after spending the last five seasons of his NFL career playing for the Cleveland Browns, LA Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins.
Following a strong preseason showing (including 7 catches for 76 yards), OBJ officially made the Giants’ 53-man roster. However, as the regular season began, Beckham Jr. has had just 11 snaps in Week 1, three in Week 2, and six in Week 3.
Fans even loudly chanted “OBJ! OBJ!” during a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans, hoping to see him get involved, but Beckham Jr. was targeted only once. Overall, the veteran wide receiver had 0 catches and 0 yards under his name in the 2026 season.
Per the reports, the 33-year-old wanted an opportunity to join a team where he could command a larger role on the field, rather than staying relegated to the sidelines. However, that seemingly isn’t the only reason behind the mutual departure.
“The #Giants’ offense is likely to lean even more heavily on the run, making it even more difficult for Odell Beckham Jr. to get on the field. An unfortunate end to a story that seemed so perfect,” Schultz wrote in another post on X.
Under new head coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and senior offensive assistant Greg Roman – who is renowned for building dominant ground attacks – the Giants have completely shifted away from their previous shotgun, RPO-style passing offense to a traditional under-center, power-running identity.
So far, they are 2-1 in the league, with good performances from the rushing department featuring Cam Skattebo, Najee Harris, and Devin Singletary. However, that said, Odell Beckham Jr. is also not reportedly expected to be with the Giants’ practice squad.
“My understanding is Odell Beckham Jr. will not be returning to the #Giants’ practice squad either,” Schultz wrote on X.
Odell Beckham Jr. has 7,987 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns under his name in 122 regular-season games. Considering his stature in the league, the 33-year-old wide receiver is also hopeful about his future.
“More from Odell Beckham Jr. to me who’s not done yet: ‘One door closes another door opens. I promise you that!'” Josina Anderson reported in another X post.