Odell Beckham Jr. feared his NFL career was gone after suffering a second torn ACL in as many seasons, but he’s now approaching the 2023 season as if it’s his last, according to a recent interview.
The former Giants wide receiver signed with the Ravens in April after missing the whole 2022 season due to a knee ailment.
Beckham, 30, tore his left ACL while playing for the Browns in 2020. He had the same injury in the same knee the following season while playing for the eventual champion Rams in the Super Bowl.
“I went through a lot over the last couple of years, and I thought it was over,” Beckham explained to The Athletic. “I didn’t want to get back on the horse and repeat the same song and dance.”
From 2014 through 2018, Beckham played his first five seasons with the Giants, accumulating 5,476 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns. He was dealt to the Browns by the Giants in 2019, less than a year after signing a $95 million agreement with them.
The three-time Pro Bowler played with Cleveland for parts of three seasons before being released and signing with the Rams during the 2021 stretch run. Prior to his injury in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI, he caught two passes, one of which was for a score.
According to The Athletic, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Rams’ team physician, told Beckham that his first operation failed to fix the damage. Beckham told then-teammate Cooper Kupp before the Super Bowl that he didn’t think his knee could withstand another game.
Beckham talked to the Giants, Bills, and Cowboys about joining a playoff team last season, but he never signed. This offseason, the Ravens signed him to a one-year, $15 million contract.
“I’m thinking about it like this is my last year,” Beckham explained. “This year, I’m going to give it my all.” And then, if something happens, we can take it from there.”