Giants release Odell Beckham Jr.; Harbaugh says ‘it wasn’t working’
The New York Giants released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this week, ending his second stint with the franchise after just three games. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed the Odell Beckham Jr. release and explained the reasoning behind it, telling reporters, “It just wasn’t working for us.”
Beckham made the Giants’ initial 53-man roster in August but played only 20 offensive snaps through three games without recording a catch. In New York’s 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans, MetLife Stadium erupted in “OBJ” chants, yet Beckham played just six snaps and saw a single target, according to CBS Sports.
The terms: a straight release, no practice-squad deal in place
The move is an outright release, not a trade or settlement with specific terms reported. Beckham is now a free agent who can sign with any team.
The Giants are not expected to bring Beckham back on the practice squad “at this time,” according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, via Yahoo Sports. That closes the door, for now, on any short-term reunion at a reduced role.
Why it happened: Harbaugh says the fit never developed
Harbaugh said he had hoped to get Beckham more involved after training camp, but the usage never grew. “Well, I think I said I hoped he would get more chances,” Harbaugh said, via CBS Sports. “That’s what I said.
So nothing changed. I did hope he would get more chances. And he didn’t.”
The coach added that the decision came down to roster need rather than any off-field issue. “Roster spot-wise, we need more out of that spot and that’s what we’re gonna do,” Harbaugh said. “Nothing about Odell.
Nothing that he could do, in that sense.”
Asked directly whether the media attention Beckham drew as a fourth receiver on the depth chart played into the Odell Beckham Jr. release, Harbaugh rejected the idea, according to Bleacher Report. “It’s best for the team, that’s it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not doing enough for our offense.Well, I think I said I hoped he would get more chances,” Harbaugh said, via CBS Sports. “That’s what I said.
So nothing changed. And he didn’t.”
“Nothing about Odell.
Asked directly whether the media attention Beckham drew as a fourth receiver on the depth chart played into the release, Harbaugh rejected the idea, according to Bleacher Report. “It’s not doing enough for our offense.
It’s not doing enough for our team. So we need to make a change.” He said Beckham was not happy about the decision either, adding, “He’s not thrilled with it either.
He wants to play.”
Harbaugh said the team needs more production out of that roster spot as it tries to improve its offense. “We had a couple guys give us some things, and we’ll see if it works,” Harbaugh said. “I’d like to get a few more points. We’d like to score some points in the red zone.”
What it means for the Giants’ receiver room
New York used Beckham’s roster spot to solve a different problem. Receiver and punt returner Braxton Berrios had exhausted his practice-squad elevations, and the Giants signed him to the active roster the same day Beckham was released, along with receiver Charlie Jones, according to CBS Sports.
Berrios and Jones both contribute on special teams, an area Beckham did not factor into. The swap signals New York wants roster flexibility on offense and coverage units rather than a pure receiving specialist who was not seeing the field.
Beckham’s background and this season’s numbers
Beckham returned to the franchise where he became a star in the early 2010s, generating optimism among fans for another homecoming. That comeback stalled quickly: zero catches and 20 total offensive snaps across three games this season.
He did not play at all last season, per Yahoo Sports, making his brief 2026 return his first game action in more than a year before the Giants moved on.
What’s next
Beckham’s next NFL home is unclear. Yahoo Sports noted that teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have receiver needs and that more injuries around the league are likely to open opportunities as the season continues.
For the Giants, the roster moves are already in effect with Berrios and Jones on the active roster. New York’s offense now turns its focus to upcoming games under the situation at quarterback, where starter Jaxson Dart is dealing with a knee injury, according to Yahoo Sports.
Reporting from CBS Sports, FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report contributed to this story.