Do Odell Beckham Jr’s comments open door for Patriots signing in offseason?

While the New England Patriots are building around Mac Jones with the hope of eventually becoming a contender, Odell Beckham Jr. and the Los Angeles Rams have managed to blitz past the rest of the NFC and make it to the Super Bowl. The addition of Beckham supercharged the LA offense.

With Robert Woods lost for the season and Beckham struggling to get targets from Baker Mayfield in Cleveland, the match was perfect. Beckham was released by the Browns and became an elite second target behind Cooper Kupp. The three-time Pro Bowler is throwing it back to his days with the Giants.

But the Patriots and Beckham have seemingly been linked together for years, both due to New England’s perpetual need for a No. 1 wide receiver and Beckham’s admiration for Bill Belichick. In fact, OBJ in Foxborough almost became a reality after he called an end to his ill-fated time in Cleveland.

Beckham said that he was “very” close to signing with the Patriots in free agency, even going as far to speak with Belichick at the time. If he still has an interest in joining New England, they could get Jones a No. 1 receiver with the star potential needed to become the featured option in the passing game this coming offseason.

Could Odell Beckham Jr. sign with the New England Patriots?

Beckham has proven with the Rams that his ability to win at the line of scrimmage, make circus catches, and rip off explosive plays down the field have not been stripped away from him despite a dark tenure with the Browns. Beckham’s numbers within the context of winning show what a game-changer he can be.

While Beckham is still a star in this league who’d help Jones immensely, there are a few factors that could prevent him from becoming a Patriot. After struggling with Mayfield, will he leave a title contender in LA for another young quarterback in a cold-weather city that is not Super Bowl worthy just yet?

While Beckham has been a perfect No. 2 for the Rams, is he worth paying WR1 money at this stage of his career? Beckham has crossed 80 yards in just two of his 11 Rams games. One of them saw him get 81 yards, and the other was two weeks ago against the 49ers. Beckham, who will turn 30 in November, might have lost a half-step.

If Beckham continues to express any degree of interest in the Patriots, they should look past whatever concerns they have about his player profile and try to acquire him … but at the right price given their salary cap concerns. Nothing would help their Pro Bowler in Jones avoid a sophomore slump more than a proven sensation like Beckham at wide receiver.

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