Giants sign Odell Beckham Jr., but fans should temper expectations for his second stint in NY

Odell Beckham Jr. had Giants fans cheering like old times Saturday. For two hours, he posed for pictures and signed autographs at Brian Burns’ charity softball game in Pomona.

The joy previewed what came Monday. Beckham re-signed with the Giants for a one-year deal, bringing him back with the team and city he electrified from 2014-18.

“Home Team, I’m back,” Beckham said in an Instagram caption, “Let’s get itttt.

Cue the visions of one-handed catches and touchdowns. Dust off those No. 13 jerseys, although Jalin Hyatt currently wears that number. But as dreams race through fans’ minds, slow down for a reality check.

Beckham, 33, didn’t play last season. His last NFL stint was nine games with the Dolphins in 2024 where he caught nine passes for 55 yards. This isn’t the same receiver who had four 1,000-yard seasons for the Giants and won Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Even coach John Harbaugh admitted that in April after Beckham worked out. Bringing him back isn’t about hype or charity. Not after the Giants signed Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III in free agency and drafted Malachi Fields.

“It's got to be right for both parties,” Harbaugh said on April 25. “Odell wants to be the kind of player that can make a difference. I'm pretty sure that he can make a team in the National Football League right now, but can he make a difference?”

The Giants think so because they got issues at receiver. Gunner Olszewski tore his Achilles last Friday at OTAs, leaving the team also without its leading kick returner. Malik Nabers’ return date remains murky from ACL/meniscus surgery.

Darius Slayton is sidelined after sports hernia surgery, although he’ll be back for the start of training camp. That explains why the Giants also signed vets Braxton Berrios and JuJu Smith-Schuster after they worked out with Beckham Monday.

Still, this is mainly about OBJ. The thrill of his past is exciting, but the Giants didn’t do this for nostalgia. They clearly see a need more than just giving Beckham closure with the team that drafted him.

Harbaugh saw Beckham up close in 2023 with the Ravens and knows where he’s at after two ACL injuries. The two met in Arizona during the NFL annual meetings in March. Two workouts means the Giants seriously evaluated him.

They don’t need the old Beckham. He’s not be a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver at this point. But if the new Beckham is productive and a valuable mentor? The Giants will take that, especially if he can help guide Nabers as a fellow LSU product.

"He's in such a good place in terms of, you know, his humility,” Harbaugh said in April. “He wants to be part of a team. He wants to contribute. He wants to help the young guys. That's what he's talking about doing.”

So let the reunion begin. It’s Odell 2.0 as Harbaugh said in April. Not the same model, but one that hopes to still excite fans even in a smaller role.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.