Could Giants reunite with Odell Beckham Jr.? ‘We’ll just have to see where it all goes’

PHOENIX — The idea of Odell Beckham Jr. returning to the franchise that launched him into superstardom is no longer confined to wishful thinking among nostalgic fans. Speaking at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting on Monday, new Giants head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that the 33-year-old wideout is firmly on the team’s radar as the organization reshapes its receiving corps around second-year standout Malik Nabers.

“The obvious, pad answer would be you look at every option, right? And if Odell’s an option, then we’ll be looking at it for sure,” Harbaugh told reporters. “He and I do talk, we do text, we’ve maintained a really great relationship. He’s one of my very favorite people in the world, so it’s not like you don’t talk to guys about things like that, and certainly we have.”

Harbaugh, who coached Beckham during the receiver’s 2023 resurgence in Baltimore, stopped short of guaranteeing a contract offer but left the door wide open: “We’ll just have to see where it all goes, what’s best for him, what’s best for the Giants. That’s the number one thing: what’s best for our team.”

The sentiment is shared inside the locker room. Nabers signaled his approval on social media last week, commenting “Let’s play together” on a Beckham Instagram post. Beckham reciprocated the enthusiasm last weekend at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, telling Kay Adams he would “love” to team up with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.

“Weird you said that; that sounds great,” Beckham said. “If that opportunity presents itself, I would love to do that. Be excited about that. He’s a good dude. He’s young, and he likes to dance. I like all that.”

Practical questions remain. Beckham is unsigned after serving a six-game suspension in 2024 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy and was released by the Miami Dolphins after nine games. His production has dipped sharply since an electric start to his career: 288 receptions, 4,122 yards and 35 touchdowns in 43 games for the Giants from 2014-16, compared with 287 catches, 3,865 yards and 24 touchdowns over the subsequent eight seasons.

Still, the Giants’ depth chart behind Nabers thinned considerably when Wan’Dale Robinson departed in free agency. A veteran who has already thrived under the New York spotlight could provide both insurance and mentorship for a young group.

Harbaugh insisted the evaluation will be strictly football-based: “Any player, if he helps you be a better team and can make you better, then you’re going to pursue that, but we’ll have to see where that goes.”

For now, the possibility of a Big Blue reunion remains in the exploratory phase, with conversations ongoing and no timetable set for a decision.