NEWSLETTER
After last week’s poop-storm featuring Aaron Rodgers COVID ridiculousness and Jordan Love throwing up a clunker potentially forecasting the Packers’ future, something might nudge That Team In Wisconsin into doing something bold to change the narrative.
And while the feeling would need to be mutual for this to go down, a chaotic finish to this season could be on the horizon:
https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1458155832848306183?s=20
On the one hand, the idea of Odell Beckham Jr. being as problematic in Green Bay as he was at the end of his Cleveland run sounds absolutely delightful. Envisioning how OBJ could bring the Packers down from the inside would inspire the most creative Bears backers’ fanfic. The stare downs between Beckham and Aaron Rodgers when miscommunication on a route leads to an interception would make for tremendous meme potential. Even the most minor sideline confrontation would make four outsized and outlandish headlines. Just think of the content!
But on the other hand, Odell Beckham Jr. is like a pendulum. Because even though we see it swinging in one direction right now, it’s important to keep in mind that it has to come back the other way. And if OBJ swings back with the same level of energy, that could be a dangerous tandem. Putting Beckham on the other side of Davante Adams sounds like a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. The idea of Rodgers putting on a Houdini act with someone as skilled as Beckham is at creating separation would keep me up at night. And there is nothing like a player scorn looking to clear their name after an ugly and public fallout with their previous team.
With that in mind, the NFL’s other 31 teams have until 3 p.m. CT to claim Beckham before he becomes a true free agent. If one does so, then it would be responsible for taking on whatever is left of his salary. And if Beckham is truly desiring a trip to Green Bay, then the claiming team will also have to deal with a player whose head and heart might be elsewhere. I can’t imagine a team wanting to fit a potential malcontent on the roster this time of year. After all, it’s one reason the Browns were pushing OBJ out the door in the first place.
For what it’s worth, the Packers are 30th in the waiver claim order. In other words, there are 29 teams who could nip this in the bud and bring him on before Green Bay even sniffs the chance. Of course, that number shrinks by at least one (Browns) if not two (Giants). The Lions are reportedly not in the mix. So now we’re at 26 teams as conceivable options. Will anyone beat the buzzer with a claim? Or will we have an in-season free agency bidding war? We’ll find out soon enough.
