OBJ released by Browns

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Cleveland Browns are releasing star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

In a statement, Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said “we’ve determined that is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns.

“We’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell,” the statement continued.

Here is the official statement https://t.co/9GnXGzFCdY pic.twitter.com/IikCmOiywY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2021

“Odell Beckham Jr., now becomes one of the most fascinating waiver claims in recent times,” NFL Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted.

Sources say Beckham asked for a trade Sunday night. As the trade deadline approached Tuesday, Beckham’s father posted an 11-minute video highlighting multiple times quarterback Baker Mayfield did not throw to him when he was open.

Mayfield responded, saying “deliberately not throwing the ball to an extremely talented player that I’ve done a lot of work with... that’s an opinionated statement.”

Beckham was excused from practice all week.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. sits on the bench during the second half of an... — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)(David Richard | AP)

The New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly the closest teams to finalizing a deal for the former Isidore Newman and LSU standout, but no deal was reached by the end of the day Tuesday. The Browns were unable to find a team willing to take on Beckham’s $7.25 million in guaranteed salary.

First, OBJ will need to clear waivers. New Orleans is 23rd on the waiver order in the NFL. The Saints have just under $1 million in cap space available, according to Overthecap.com.

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