On Wednesday, the Raiders and Chiefs met in Kansas City. The game was close for most of regulation before Oakland’s defense made a crucial stop to keep their team up by 3 points with less than two minutes left to play. It appeared as though it would remain that way until an unlikely hero; Josh Jacobs’ shoe.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s time with the Cleveland Browns turned out to be a strange one. Despite the hoopla surrounding OBJ’s reunion with former LSU teammate and roommate Jarvis Landry, the Browns were never able to consistently deliver the ball to all of their receivers.
Beckham Jr. forced his way out of Cleveland and signed as a free agency with the Los Angeles Rams as a consequence of his problems.
While many Browns fans are furious with Beckham Jr.’s unwillingness to stay in Cleveland, at least one former teammate is disappointed with how things ended.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s departure was discussed by Jarvis Landry.
November 17, 2021 — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot)
When questioned about Odell Beckham Jr.’s abrupt and unexpected departure from the Browns, Landry was candid and disappointed.
“It was undeniably a painful experience.” It irritated me. “It still does,” stated Landry.
It’s logical to believe that Landry has some responsibility for the outcome of the scenario. Landry was dealt to the Browns before OBJ, and he was probably overjoyed at the prospect of reuniting with a former college teammate and close buddy.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, has repeatedly shown that he prefers to target Landry over OBJ. Even when he did toss the ball to Beckham Jr., the two seldom agreed on anything.
This isn’t to argue that Landry is to blame for OBJ’s decision to leave Cleveland. He likely envisioned a situation in which he and Beckham Jr. finished their careers with the Browns together. It’s disappointing that their ideal has come crumbling down only a few seasons into their relationship.
Jarvis Landry and the Browns’ situation did not improve overnight.
Jarvis Landry chats with Odell Beckham Jr. | Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
When it was originally revealed that Beckham Jr. would be released by the Browns, a wave of relief washed over Cleveland fans. While both parties share responsibility for the partnership’s failure, it’s plausible to infer that some Browns employees believed OBJ was too much of a distraction.
During Week 10, however, this logic came crumbling down. The Browns were thrashed 45-7 by the New England Patriots, demonstrating that the Browns have much more internal difficulties than merely Beckham Jr.’s desire for the ball.
If the Browns want to stay in the AFC playoff picture after OBJ, Landry, Mayfield, and the rest of the team will have to work hard.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s career in Los Angeles is also off to a shaky start.
On the other hand, Beckham Jr.’s life did not suddenly improve once he left Cleveland. He only had two receptions for 18 yards in his debut game as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, which he lost against the San Francisco 49ers.
He and quarterback Matthew Stafford were clearly on different wavelengths.
Finally, when it came to the OBJ/Browns split, it was Landry who said it best. It irritated me. The combination of Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Baker Mayfield should have been among the best in the league.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
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