With rookie wide receiver Malik Washington starting to get more involved, the Dolphins have parted ways with 3x Pro Bowl WR Odell Beckham Jr. #FinsUp
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has reported that the Miami Dolphins and veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. have parted ways. The three-time Pro Bowl wideout and former Super Bowl Champion signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Dolphink on May 8th, 2024.
Roster Move | We have waived WR Odell Beckham Jr. pic.twitter.com/0WM6VlASwc
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 13, 2024
Beckham, 32, was activated on October 5th after being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List at the start of the 2024 NFL season. In nine games with the Dolphins, Beckham caught just half of his targets (18), finishing with just nine receptions for 55 yards and zero touchdowns. In 10 seasons, OBJ has started 97 of 119 games with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens before making a stop in Miami. In total, he has 575 receptions, 7,987 yards, and 59 touchdowns. Now, he will look to sign up with a team that needs a veteran wide receiver as he looks to continue his career.
However, if one good thing came out of the OBJ experiment, the team suddenly found a playmaker in sixth-round rookie Malik Washington (Just like many of us expected!). In Week 14’s 32-26 overtime win over the New York Jets, Washington made a ‘monumental’ play on a kickoff return that helped kickstart the Dolphins’ improbable comeback.
No, those aren’t my words. They were head coach Mike McDaniel’s during his Wednesday press conference:
“The defense responded to that momentum and then you’re getting yourself to a fifth quarter without timeouts, being able to have a shortened field. I think the equivalent of two extra first downs he was able to execute on that kick return – monumental. I think if I’m a fan of just maybe the Miami Dolphins and I’m observing Malik Washington from one week to another, I think I already know what I need to know of who he is.”
“monumental” is how mcDaniel described malik washington’s return.
“it’s just a week ago, he had probably one of his worst football moments — a muffed punt… he works tirelessly… he displayed what makes him unique. he’s the exception to the rule (being a 6th-round WR)… pic.twitter.com/oQzI3bZzbz
— josh houtz (@houtz) December 11, 2024
McDaniel continued:
“There is a lot of rookies in the National Football League, but if you – I don’t know the ratio of sixth round draft picks that are playing and contributing versus not, it’s the exception to the rule I would say and that’s because of things like that. But I think he really got to show people who he is, and all you need to know is how his teammates feel about him. They absolutely love him because that’s the greatest respect you can pay towards your team is being accountable for a mistake and then making up for it in the moment of truth.”
Not to mention, he’s put up identical numbers to the veteran OBJ, catching 10 of 14 targets for 51 yards. So, if you’re general manager Chris Grier and McDaniel, you had to ask yourself, why not let Beckham Jr. try to latch on to a playoff-caliber team that could use his services? After all, Miami is hanging on by a thread, and as we pointed out, he wasn’t working out in Miami.
Another thing worth noting is that the Dolphins have opened the window of linebackers Cameron Goode and Bradley Chubb. If either player were to return, Miami would need to make a roster move. This — could be that roster move.
What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins releasing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr? Have you liked what you’ve seen out of Malik Washington and the rest of Miami’s wide receivers this season? How confident are you heading into Sunday’s matchup vs. the Houston Texans? Let us know in the comments section below!
