In Sunday’s Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cleveland Browns put up 42 points and collected 531 yards of total offense. And with lead receiver Jarvis Landry out on IR, you’d think Odell Beckham Jr. would’ve played a significant role in the team’s 301 yards through the air.
That was not the case.
On just three targets through the entire contest, Beckham reeled in two catches for 20 yards and zero scores.
This lacking offensive performance was not an anomaly. Since returning to the field from last year’s ACL injury in Week 3, the three-time Pro Bowler has logged just nine receptions for 124 yards and zero touchdowns through three games.
While Beckham admitted that he wishes he saw the ball come his way more often, he’s willing to give up offensive usage for a chance to compete for a Super Bowl.
“I can’t sit there and lie like I don’t want the ball,” the 28-year-old wideout said, per Kieth Britton of 923TheFan. “I feel like I’m a shooter (in basketball). I know I bring a lot of attention to defenses and other people are going to be open. You just have to live with that.
“The ultimate goal is to win the championship and I feel like I’m in a great situation to do that. My main focus was to be healthy, stay healthy, get through a season,” he added.
#Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr.: “I can’t sit there and lie like I don’t want the ball. I feel like I’m a shooter (in basketball). I know I bring a lot of attention to defenses and other people are going to be open. You just have to live with that.”
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) October 14, 2021
#Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr.: “The ultimate goal is to win the championship and I feel like I’m in a great situation to do that. My main focus was to be healthy, stay healthy, get through a season.”
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) October 14, 2021
When asked about the lack of targets for Beckham in Sunday’s loss, Kevin Stefanski shared a similar message. The Browns head coach said he’s trying to work the “dynamic” receiver into the game plan, but opposing defenses are making that job difficult.
“As I’ve mentioned before, he’s a dynamic football player,” Stefanski said after the game, per Cleveland.com. “He’s very front-of-mind when we are game-planning and when we are calling plays. Sometimes the defense dictates if the ball goes elsewhere, and we are comfortable with that because we have good players elsewhere.”
Beckham will look to get more involved in what should be another shootout against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend.
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