Odell Beckham Jr. never has hidden his respect and admiration for New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
The Cleveland Browns on Friday announced they are releasing the star receiver. Beckham now is subject to waivers, with the possibility of becoming a free agent Monday if he goes unclaimed. The Patriots currently hold the 15th spot in the NFL waiver order, but would not be able to fit Beckham’s restructured contract under their salary cap.
Whether the Patriots have any interest in adding Beckham is anyone’s guess. Belichick danced around the topic when (indirectly) asked about it Friday morning.
However, with free agency a potential outcome for Beckham, it’s worth revisiting the 29-year-old’s prior comments about Belichick.
Before playing at Gillette Stadium in 2019, Beckham offered this on Belichick:
“Going against Bill Belichick, this is somebody who I have much respect for. Probably talk to him before and after the game. He tells me the same thing every time, he’s like: ‘I hope you enjoy today because there’s not going to be much for you.’ That’s what he’s told me and that’s what he does every single time. It’s just tough. He’s going to coach it up and they’re going to be ready and prepared.”
Beckham took his praise to a higher level after the Patriots earned a 27-13 victory, in which Beckham had just five catches for 52 yards.
“I was looking at Don Shula, I don’t know how many wins he has, and I’m thinking, ‘Is Belichick trying to surpass that?’ ” he told reporters. “And I just didn’t want to give him the 300th win today. But he went out and got it. He’s a phenomenal coach. You could argue he’s the best ever.”
Finally, here’s what Beckham said after New England signed Cam Newton in 2020:
“To be going to Belichick, there is no, ‘How is it going to work?’ ” Beckham told Newton during a roundtable posted to his YouTube channel. “For me, all he wants to do is to put you in a place to succeed, and I’m happy to see it.”
Of course, none of this means that Beckham currently is high on the idea of playing alongside rookie quarterback Mac Jones for the 4-4 Patriots. Furthermore, there’s no guarantee he clears waivers and gains the freedom to sign with whomever he wants.
Nevertheless, Beckham’s past remarks suggest a fondness for Belichick — and the feeling might be mutual.
