The New York Giants finally did it. After months -- nay years -- of speculation, they found a way to bring Odell Beckham Jr. back to New York for the first time since 2018. The last time OBJ suited up at MetLife Stadium was seven years ago, and injuries in the WR room made them desperate for his services.
The national media is absolutely foaming at the mouth right now. This is the time of the offseason where there’s nothing better to talk about than nostalgia bait to keep NFL fans invested before training camp starts in July. And this will turn some heads.
The hire of John Harbaugh only fanned the flames of a trip down memory lane, but when you pull back the curtain, it exposes an ugly truth: this might be the wrong trip down memory lane. The Giants worked out several other receivers this morning, and Beckham Jr. isn’t the only one they signed.
The Giants reunited Matt Nagy with JuJu Smith-Schuster in New York
In addition to working out the three-time Pro Bowler, the Giants also brought in a few other veterans and already signed All-Pro return man Braxton Berrios to replace Gunner Olszewski. They also signed JuJu Smith-Schuster following the workout.
While all eyes will be on the OBL reunion, signing Smith-Schuster actually makes more sense for the WR-needy G-Men. JuJu spent three of the last four seasons working with new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in Kansas City. It’s not flashy, but he knows the system and can actually compete for a role right away.
Compared to the 33-year-old, injury-prone receiver the Giants signed first, Smith-Schuster is only 29 and hasn’t been out of the league for two years. His last truly productive season came in 2022 with the Chiefs, and while he’s not the same player he once was, he’s been a more consistent presence on the field.
As fans, we need to realize something about the OBJ signing. This isn’t late-career Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. He’s not an ageless wonder anymore. Since 2020, he’s played more than 10 games in a season once. Smith-Schuster is also a former Pro Bowler who’s been more available and has experience in the new system.
Bringing back a franchise legend for vibes and leadership as a camp body when he won’t play special teams sends a message, whether it’s intended or not. Meanwhile, the quieter reunion with Smith-Schuster is the one that actually fits what this offense needs right now.
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