BEREA, Ohio — The agents of Odell Beckham Jr. and Browns general manager Andrew Berry are discussing options as the wide receiver's future in Cleveland has seemingly reached critical condition.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski disclosed Wednesday in his pre-practice news conference the two sides had engaged in talks.
Asked whether Beckham had requested his release from the Browns, Stefanski said, "That's something that I think his reps and Andrew would talk through."
Beckham has been excused from Wednesday's Browns practice, Stefanski said.
Whether he'll ever step onto a football field again while wearing a Cleveland uniform is now in doubt.
Stefanski told Browns players in a meeting Wednesday Beckham isn't part of the team right now, per NFL reporter Michael Silver.
Asked about the report, Stefanski said, "I would just tell you today he's excused, and we'll see where this goes."
In their pre-practice injury report, the Browns cited a noninjury-related personal matter for Beckham's absence.
USA Today's Josina Anderson first reported Beckham had been ready to attend practice as he normally would when he was told he'd be excused.
Stefanski said the decision to excuse Beckham was made in the morning before OBJ had arrived at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The development came after the NFL trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. Tuesday without the Browns dealing Beckham.
Early Tuesday morning, Odell Beckham Sr., the father of the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, shared a video on Instagram highlighting plays on which Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't pass to an open OBJ or missed him because of an off-target throw or miscommunication in Weeks 3-6.
And Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, a close friend of Beckham, tweeted the following just before noon Tuesday: "OBJ will show again why he's special. WR1 #FreeOBJ."
The social-media drama created the strong impression Beckham wants out of Cleveland.
Stefanski said he hasn't talked to Beckham in the past 24 hours. Asked whether he reached out, Stefanski said, "I'll keep that between me and him."
Without Beckham on the field as the Browns (4-4) prepare for Sunday's AFC North road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (5-3), there are legitimate questions about whether the Browns will release him.
Beckham is still due $8 million guaranteed of the $15.75 million he's making this year.
If the Browns were to release Beckham, any team could claim him off waivers. However, it wouldn't be realistic for another franchise to claim him because it would be on the hook for the $8 million.
If Beckham were released and cleared waivers, he would become a free agent and able to sign with any team.
Beckham, who will turn 29 on Friday, is under contract through the 2023 season, but there is no guaranteed money on his deal in the next two seasons. The writing had been on the wall for this to be his last season with the Browns, even before the proverbial circus music started blaring Tuesday.
Coach Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to address media at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and the Browns are slated to practice at 1:35 p.m.
Mayfield normally speaks to reporters at 11:10 a.m. Wednesdays, but the Browns delayed Mayfield's media availability until after practice.
Beckham and Mayfield have never consistently gotten on the same page since the Browns acquired OBJ in March 2019 in a trade with the New York Giants.
The disconnect reached a low point in Sunday's 15-10 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when Beckham caught one pass on one official target for 6 yards.
In six games this season, Beckham has compiled 17 catches on 34 targets for 232 yards and two carries for 14 yards without scoring a touchdown.
In 29 games with the Browns, Beckham has made 28 starts and compiled 114 catches on 210 targets for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with eight carries for 96 yards and a TD.
It's not close to the elite production Beckham had with the Giants, especially when the 12th overall pick in the 2014 draft had more than 1,300 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns in each of his first three NFL seasons.
Injuries have interfered since then. Beckham has been playing through a grade three sprained AC joint he suffered in his right shoulder Oct. 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, per Anderson. He made his 2021 debut with the Browns in Week 3 after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Beckham's return to Paul Brown Stadium would have been a major storyline this week if it weren't for his status with the team being a huge question mark.
