Harbaugh Explains Odell Beckham Jr.'s Abrupt Departure from Giants
Coach cites lack of production and fit as reasons for cutting the veteran receiver.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh has provided a candid explanation for the team's decision to release wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after just three games.
Beckham Jr. had rejoined the Giants, the team that drafted him in 2014, for a comeback attempt after missing the entire 2025 season. He was re-signed by the franchise on June 1, reuniting him with Harbaugh, with whom he played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
However, Beckham Jr. failed to register a catch in the first three games of the regular season, leading to his release from the roster.
"Had a great conversation with Odell," Harbaugh stated. "And it's tough. We just weren't getting enough. It just wasn't working for us. I wanted to be able to give more, I wanted him to be able to do more. I wanted to get him on the field more."
Harbaugh took responsibility for the situation, adding, "For whatever reason, we weren't able to do it. Put it on us. We weren't able to get it done, but at this point in time, that's kind of where we were, and we need to move on. Nothing about Odell, nothing that he could do, it's just we weren't able to get it done, make it fit, make it work. I was hoping we could, and we didn't."
He emphasized that external factors, such as fan chants or media attention surrounding Beckham Jr., did not influence the decision.
Beckham Jr. signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Giants but was on the field for only 20 offensive snaps during the initial three games. The team has since signed veteran receiver Braxton Berrios and promoted Charlie Jones from the practice squad.
Giants teammates expressed their support for Beckham Jr. Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux called him "a legend in the game" and predicted he would "make a statement somewhere." Tight end Isaiah Likely, who was also a teammate with Beckham Jr. on the Ravens, wished him well, saying, "Hopefully, wherever he ends up, he does what Odell does."
In separate news, the Giants recently acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a fifth-round pick. This move followed the season-ending knee injury sustained by quarterback Jaxson Dart.