Odell Beckham Jr. is back in the NFL after missing the entire 2025 season, and his return to the New York Giants has been a feel-good story. However, Beckham’s return has prompted some of his past comments about NFL contracts and financial security to resurface.
The veteran wide receiver recently earned a spot on the Giants’ 53-man roster. However, former NFL star Asante Samuel has criticized Beckham for saying that even a $100 million contract may not be enough to build lasting wealth.
Asante Samuel Calls Out Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham sparked a major discussion after appearing on “The Pivot” podcast last year, where he argued that a five-year, $100 million contract could effectively become about $60 million after taxes.
“I always explain this to people, you give somebody a five-year, $100 million contract, that’s five years for 60. We’re getting taxed… Can you make that last forever?”
OBJ also pointed to expenses such as supporting family members, paying agents, and maintaining an expensive lifestyle. He argued that those costs can quickly eat into a player’s earnings.
The comments drew backlash from critics who felt the perspective was out of touch, particularly because $60 million remains an enormous amount of money compared with what most people earn over a lifetime.
Speaking on his “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast, two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel strongly criticized Beckham’s comments.
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“Odell Beckham Jr. recently put the spotlight on himself after saying $100 million is [not] enough to live off of, and I hope he regrets that statement. That is some ignorant stuff to say, man… And hopefully, man, his livelihood isn’t depending on playing this one season or seasons to come,” Samuel said.
Samuel acknowledged Beckham’s impact on the Giants, praising the receiver’s first three seasons in New York and highlighting the athletic ability and spectacular catches that made him one of the NFL’s most exciting players at the time.
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However, Samuel also pointed to the injuries that Beckham has dealt with throughout his career and suggested there eventually comes a point when a player has to consider calling it quits.
Beckham returned to the Giants this offseason as he attempted to revive his career after sitting out the 2025 season. The reunion also brought him back into the orbit of head coach John Harbaugh, whom Beckham previously played for during his time with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
For Beckham, simply making the roster represented a different experience. Rather than entering camp as an established star, he had to compete for one of the final spots.
He described the experience as a “different feeling” and called making the roster “an honor and a privilege.” Beckham will try to help the Giants improve their offense after they ranked 18th in the NFL last season with a 74.6 Offense Impact Score.
Now, Beckham will have an opportunity to show that he can still contribute on the field. His return has generated plenty of attention, but Samuel’s criticism adds another storyline as the veteran receiver looks to make the most of what could be the final chapter in his NFL career.
