Cleveland Browns release WR Odell Beckham Jr.

CLEVELAND — After a week of rumors, speculation, and questions the Cleveland Browns have agreed to release wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

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Media reports throughout the week have indicated Beckham wanted out of Cleveland but he was not traded before the NFL trade deadline Tuesday. Beckham had been excused from two team practices this week while representatives for Beckham and the Browns talked about his future with the team.

“After careful consideration, internal discussions and conversations with Odell and his representation, we’ve determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns,” Browns EVP of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said in a media release.

“We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell.”

Beckham will now hit the waiver wire where each team will have the opportunity to claim him. If no team claims him off waivers, he’ll become a free agent and could sign with any team.

“We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career,” Berry said.

Beckham was traded from the Giants to the Browns in 2019 and played in a total of 29 games for Cleveland. Beckham was coming off an injury-shortened 2020 season after he tore his ACL in last year’s game at Cincinnati.

In those 29 games for Cleveland, Beckham had 114 receptions for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had eight rushes for 96 yards and a touchdown, according to the team.

The Browns and Bengals meet for the first time this season Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. with coverage on both WHIO-TV and 1290 and 95.7 WHIO.