John Harbaugh says talks with Odell Beckham Jr. are ongoing, with the focus on training, fitness, and whether a deal works for both sides.
A potential Odell Beckham Jr. reunion with the New York Giants is being discussed openly, but John Harbaugh made it clear the fit has to work for both the player and the team.
The Giants have held conversations with Beckham about the possibility of coming back to the NFL. and those discussions are continuing.. Harbaugh said Saturday that he has spoken with the receiver “probably three or four times in the last week” to gauge where Beckham is and where the franchise is. with the next steps centered on preparation.
Harbaugh’s message was straightforward: the immediate goal is for Beckham to train and get as ready as possible. and then the organization will assess where things stand closer to the team’s timeline.. He also stressed that any decision needs to be “right for both parties. ” while Beckham. as Harbaugh sees it. wants to be the kind of player who can change games.
At the same time, Harbaugh raised the questions that typically come with older players trying to re-enter a league role.. He pointed to the need to evaluate whether Beckham can make a difference. whether his body will hold up in the way he wants. and whether those answers align with the expectations on both sides.. For a player at Beckham’s age, Harbaugh suggested that there are still important uncertainties that have to get resolved.
Beckham’s own outlook, according to Harbaugh, is rooted in confidence and work.. The coach said Beckham is focused on training. believes in himself. and expects the situation to unfold over the coming weeks.. Harbaugh added that they will “play it out” through the next month and into training camp as the team evaluates where things land.
The discussion also comes with an additional layer specific to the receiver position: roster and depth-chart realities.. When a wideout is lower in the pecking order. the player’s ability to contribute on special teams often becomes essential.. The report noted that most veteran players. particularly former stars. may be reluctant to take on that role if they feel they’re being asked to accept a lesser status on the roster.
Beckham’s recent playing history is a key part of why these questions matter.. He last played during the 2024 season, and the year before that he played for Harbaugh in Baltimore.. In that Ravens season, Beckham caught 35 passes for 565 yards.. The report also highlighted that his last 1. 000-yard campaigns were seven years ago. when he was in his first season with the Browns.
The contrast to earlier production is notable.. Before that, Beckham produced four 1,000-yard seasons in five years with the Giants.. That longer stretch of high-level output is part of why any reunion talk still has momentum. even as the current stage of his career forces teams to weigh health. readiness. and role expectations more carefully.
Harbaugh’s comments can be read as measured diplomacy as much as football evaluation.. The report suggested the Giants appear not to believe Beckham can offer the same type of impact he believes he can provide. and that Beckham may feel he should be higher on the depth chart than New York may be willing to offer.
There is also a relationship-history factor in play.. Harbaugh previously coached Beckham, and Beckham was once a key contributor under his leadership in Baltimore.. The report argued it can be difficult for a coach to directly tell a former standout that a reunion might not match the player’s vision. especially when both sides already know each other.
Ultimately, the balance of Harbaugh’s wording points to a process rather than an announcement.. The likely hope. according to the report. is that Beckham will decide it’s not a fit for both parties without the Giants needing to deliver that message directly.. For now. the discussions continue. and the deciding variable appears to be whether Beckham’s training and physical readiness allow the team to feel comfortable that he can contribute in the specific role that would make the deal work.
Odell Beckham Jr. John Harbaugh New York Giants NFL receiver training camp Baltimore Ravens