The New York Giants may have won some goodwill points with the fanbase by pulling off Odell Beckham Jr's miraculous return, but keeping him around has not had a very positive impact on the team's passing game as a whole.
After playing just 11 snaps in the team's season-opening win against the Dallas Cowboys, Beckham was on the field for just three snaps in a Monday Night Football bludgeoning at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. Beckham has not recorded a catch in his first two games back as the hype around his New York return dies down.
Beckham's return to the Giants appears to be way more sizzle than steak at this point, and this team's Jaxson Dart-less passing game may end up going down the tubes in 2026 because of it.
Odell Beckham Jr. has not been productive for the New York Giants
Imagine, if you will, the Giants had decided to sign a receiver named John Passcatcher. Imagine if John had not had a season with more than 600 receiving yards since 2019, when he was on the Cleveland Browns and Pat Shurmur was coaching the Giants.
Also consider the fact that this hypothetical player was going to turn 34 in November and had multiple serious knee injuries in his history. Not only would people not throw rose petals at John Harbaugh's feet for this decision, but there would be genuine bewilderment among those who were expecting a culture change.
It would be one thing if the Giants had a Bengals-level wide receiver room, as they could stomach him as a veteran depth piece. Instead, the Giants have one of the thinnest wide receiver rooms in tne league, and they still don't trust Beckham to go out there and be a part of getting this thing turned around.
The New York Giants lack wide receiver depth because of Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants have Malik Nabers, and he is exceptional. However, his health remains a constant Damoclean Sword hanging over this offense. Isaiah Likely is emerging as one of the better tight ends in the NFC (if not the NFL), but he alone can't provide either Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston with the stability they need.
Rookie Malachi Fields is a limited player who is developing, Darnell Mooney is as perfectly average and milquetoast as it gets for a diminutive slot receiver, and Braxton Berrios is on this team for returning reasons.
No one is saying that Darius Slayton is a game-changer. However, if he were on the roster right now insted of Beckham, would he have zero catches in two games? Would the Giants root him to the bench?
Beckham at his peak was one of the best receivers of the last few decades, but he doesn't have that same spark that made him such a force when he broke into the league. Harbaugh mau have won fans over by bringing him back, but he is not providing any value for this offense.
Nostalgia will only get Beckham so far.
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