It’s hard to gauge where the Los Angeles Rams would be without the services of Odell Beckham Jr. After controversy with Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns, Beckham was released to free agency after Week 9 of the 2021 season.
The Rams were one of many teams interested in bringing on Beckham — despite the potential risks he brought with him — and were ultimately successful in their goal. While he was originally supposed to be the team’s No. 3 receiver behind Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, he was thrusted into the No. 2 role before even playing a game when Woods tore his ACL.
Since then, he has quickly integrated himself into Sean McVay’s offense, and it’s possible the Rams would not have made it to Super Bowl LVI had it not been for Beckham.
At Beckham’s media availability for the Super Bowl, he was surprised by Jarvis Landry, his former LSU and Browns teammate. Landry took the reigns of the virtual media session to offer Beckham words of advice and encouragement, via the NFL’s official Twitter:
"I'm proud of you… I love you. Go get that ring."
Amazing moment as Jarvis Landry surprises @OBJ during his media availability.@God_Son80 #SBOpeningNight pic.twitter.com/FDpFqmumUo
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2022
It was clear from the interaction between Landry and Beckham that the two built an inseparable bond during their time first at LSU and then in Cleveland. Although it didn’t work out the way they both hoped with the Browns, Landry appears ecstatic that Beckham has found success with the Rams.
The exchange lasted about two minutes, but it provided a heart-warming insight into the relationship that the two have built. Given all the controversy surrounding Beckham’s exit in Cleveland, it’s a huge positive that it didn’t affect his personal relationship with Landry.
In eight regular-season games with the Rams, Beckham hauled in 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers are solid, albeit not what’s expected of a player of Beckham’s caliber.
However, in the postseason, Beckham has taken off. In three games, he has 19 catches for 236 yards and a touchdown. It’s clear he has found his place next to Kupp within the Rams offense, and he’s hopeful to keep that going in Super Bowl LVI.
Beckham describes tough journey to get to Super Bowl
Beckham has been through a number of challenges during his time in the NFL. From injuries to poor relationships with his team, it has been a long road for him to finally find an ideal situation with the Rams. Now that he is on this team and in the Super Bowl, he spoke about how hard he has worked to reach this point.
