Why you should still expect an LA Rams-Odell Beckham Jr. reunion

II – Home is where the heart is

The LA Rams are a football organization with a reputation for treating NFL players the right way. That is not lost among players, particularly those whose level of play on the football field allows them the opportunity to have a say as to which football field they call home.

The reputation of Odell Beckham Jr. was at an all-time low, at its nadir, when he signed a contract to play for the LA Rams. Based on the absolute team-friendly terms he consented to in order to play for the Rams, the contract was more about getting back in the saddle and contributing to a competitive team. Doubt the terms? Two-thirds of his compensation came thanks to the fact that the LA Rams won Super Bowl LVI.

OBJ bet on changing the franchise history

The team had never won a Super Bowl for the city of Los Angeles, California, in the history of the football franchise. And yet, the newly signed free agent wide receiver was willing to risk that much compensation in the hope that he could help do something with the Rams that had never been done before?

If a picture says 1000 words, then there is a novel in a recently commissioned painting of LA Rams Odell Beckham Jr. helping Cleveland Browns Odell Beckham Jr. off the ground.  Check out the image, and then pause a moment. There is so much meaning embedded in that picture.

Much like A’Shawn Robinson, Odell Beckham Jr.’s pre-LA Rams experience was horrible. And that takes a toll on an NFL player, just like it would on anyone. A toxic environment for a player is one that expects players to sacrifice for the team, but will not reciprocate. However you choose to assign the blame for the Browns fiasco over OBJ, the reality is that it was almost an unbearable situation for OBJ, QB Baker Mayfield, and the Cleveland Browns organization.

Good receivers struggle if their quarterbacks are not up to the challenge.