NFL Rumors: Saquon Barkley is a certified madman, OBJ’s contract incentives, more

NFL Rumors: Ravens are basically giving Odell Beckham Jr. free money

Odell Beckham Jr. signed with the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month, breaking the hearts of several franchise fanbases. Chiefs fans wanted to see OBJ catch deep balls from Mahomes en route to another championship. Bills Mafia wanted to see him playing alongside Stefon Diggs and add another layer to the passing attack so that Buffalo can finally beat those darn Chiefs.

Beckham ended up joining the Ravens on a one-year deal worth up to $18 million, and a closer look at his contract incentives suggest he will hit every one of his targets.

No high hoops to jump through here. The Ravens purposefully gave OBJ a low bar to reach, which could be why he picked Baltimore in the end.

As long as OBJ leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, the $3 million bonus is his.

To break it down to its base level: OBJ will get $1 million for 60 catches, $1 million for 1,000 receiving yards, and $1 million for nine receiving touchdowns.

Assuming Beckham can stay healthy all year round, these incentives seem like a breeze. Beckham’s main competition will be tight end Mark Andrews, who has established the strongest link with Lamar Jackson in the past five years.

Yet Andrews suffered a decline in 2022 in part due to heavy defensive coverages and in part due to Jackson’s absence. Beckham and Jackson have never played together and may need some time to build a rapport, but given the Ravens’ otherwise weak pass-catching corps OBJ has every reason to cash in this season.

Other teams will scoff at how much Beckham is making in 2023. Lots of other cheaper fish in the sea.