Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. impressed enough during the offseason to earn a spot on the New York Giants’ 53-man roster after spending a year away from the NFL. For Beckham, making the team marks another step in his attempt to revive his career after several difficult seasons.
However, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has raised a major question about what Beckham can realistically contribute to the Giants heading into the 2026 season.
Shannon Sharpe Sounds Alarm on Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants Return
When Beckham signed with the Giants this spring, head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the veteran receiver would not be handed a roster spot. Instead, Beckham would have to earn his place on the team.
OBJ responded by not missing a single practice while continuing to show flashes of the talent that once made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers. His efforts ultimately earned him a spot on New York’s 53-man roster.
On the latest episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, Sharpe asked co-hosts Chad Johnson and Joe Johnson whether Beckham could still look like his old self at age 33.
Chad was convinced Beckham still has something left in the tank, pointing to the flashes he continues to show, particularly his ability to get open, create separation, and make difficult catches.
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Meanwhile, Joe argued that Beckham appears to be “a totally different player” compared with earlier in his career, suggesting the veteran now approaches football with greater seriousness after having the game taken away from him for a period of time.
Sharpe acknowledged the merits of both arguments but focused on a different concern surrounding Beckham’s return to the NFL.
“I think the only thing is that once you start to bounce around, you’re out of the league and you come back in the league, they don’t look at you the same,” Sharpe said. “They don’t believe you can make those same plays.
“We had this conversation about DeAndre Hopkins. I said they’re not going to put him in a position to be the one. They’re not going to put him in a position to be the two.”
Sharpe’s concern is that Beckham’s age and recent absence from the NFL could make it difficult for the Giants to view him as a weapon in their passing game. Even if Beckham can still create separation and make plays, his role could be more limited than it was during his prime.
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Beckham entered the NFL as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and immediately established himself as one of the league’s most electric playmakers. Injuries and other setbacks, however, disrupted the trajectory of his career.
Now, Beckham is attempting to prove that he still has something left to offer. He recorded seven catches for 76 yards during the preseason, giving him an encouraging start as he works his way back into an NFL offense.
His next opportunity will come when the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys in their season opener on Sept. 13. Whether Beckham can turn those preseason flashes into meaningful production could determine just how much of a role he earns in New York’s offense.
