MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No doubt, the five wide receivers currently on the Miami Dolphins‘ roster don’t match their vision from three months ago.
It’s been quite the journey from what was once, on paper, the deepest group of wideouts in recent franchise history to what the Dolphins currently have at their disposal beyond Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle: Braxton Berrios, Malik Washington, and newcomer Grant DuBose.
Of course, a big name is missing that would have made a big difference: Odell Beckham Jr., who will miss at least the first four games with an injury that predated his time with the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins’ Chris Grier on Odell Beckham Jr. Decision
The Dolphins decided to keep Beckham on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, meaning it’ll be at least four months between the time Beckham signed with the franchise and the time he first practices with it.
That has puzzled and even angered many Dolphins fans, including those who have publicly speculated — without any substantiation — that Beckham is sandbagging the Dolphins and simply collecting a paycheck.
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During a media availability on Wednesday, Dolphins GM Chris Grier (intentionally or not) pointed out the absurdity of any such remarks.
Grier told reporters that the Dolphins knew it was a possibility that Beckham would miss the opener when they signed him, given the fact that he underwent a still-unspecified procedure in the offseason.
“We were very hopeful that it would be around Week 1 here, and to be honest with you guys, we put him down,” Grier said.
“He did not want to go down. He feels, and he is very close. You guys have just seen glimpses of him running around outside, doing stuff. He’s very close. But for us, it was a long play. We didn’t want him to rush back, feeling that he had to rush back, and then something happened and sets us back.”
So let’s dispel the myth that Beckham doesn’t want to play and that signing here was just a soft retirement with one last payday.
Beckham’s career earnings will top $100 million this year. He’s not hurting for money. Beckham wants a positive end to his career, and the Dolphins clearly believe that sitting him for the first month is the best way to ensure that.
“I’m always here to prove something,” Beckham said during his last media availability back in May. “I think to me, it’s about finishing strong, being able to end my career on my terms. I don’t know when that is – one year, two years, three years, however many God gives me. If this is my last season, it’s whatever, but it’s just about being able to end it on a strong note, to be able to put my best foot forward. I’ve given my entire life to this game.
“The way it kind of went in the middle of my career, and even a little bit of last year, I just can’t go out like that. I’ve really, since I was three or four years old, given my life to this game. There’s no way I won’t finish it on a high note.”