Giants Release Odell Beckham Jr., Ending 2026 Reunion

The sequel isn't always better than the original.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s second stint with the New York Giants has come to an end with the team releasing him on Sept. 29, according to multiple reports. Beckham and the Giants reunited over the offseason, marking the receiver's return to the organization after he was unceremoniously traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Ultimately, both sides couldn't recapture the magic through the early part of the season.

Beckham played just 20 snaps across three games, including just six in the team's Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans.

The 33-year-old was targeted only once in those games and was set to serve as a depth piece for the offense. Beckham's decision to return to the Giants was also a chance to reunite with John Harbaugh, who was the head coach during the receiver's time in Baltimore.

It is just the latest change for New York's offense, which was sparked by a season-ending knee injury to Jaxson Dart. "Big Blue" traded for a new quarterback on Monday, Sept. 28, acquiring J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings to be the new backup – or potential starter down the road.

Firmly behind Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields and Darnell Mooney on the depth chart, there was no path forward for Beckham without an injury to one of those three.

Giants WR depth chart

• Malik Nabers
• Malachi Fields
• Darnell Mooney
• Braxton Berrios (practice squad)
• Jalin Hyatt (practice squad)
• Charlie Jones (practice squad)
• Dalen Cambre (practice squad)

The Giants are left with just three receivers on the active roster after releasing Beckham. With four on the practice squad, conventional wisdom suggests that one will be signed to the 53-man roster.

Berrios figures to be the leading candidate, considering the team has elevated him from the practice squad for all three games. New York will have to put him on the 53-man roster in order for the receiver to be eligible for the team's games going forward.

It seems unlikely that the Giants would expand the receiver room further than that, especially given the big role that Isaiah Likely is playing on offense.

Will OBJ retire?

Beckham hasn't indicated a desire to retire.

The receiver is seeking an opportunity that comes with more playing time, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Why did the Giants release OBJ?

Beckham had limited playing time with the Giants in his second stint. He played 11 snaps in Week 1, three in Week 2 and six in Week 3.

With just one target through 20 snaps, it became clear that the playing time wasn't going to be there for the 33-year-old. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy told reporters on Sept. 24 that the team was trying to "slowly package" the receiver in some things offensively.

Nagy noted that Beckham was one injury away from being in the game all the time.

However that lack of playing time and opportunity appeared to be the driving force behind both sides deciding to go their separate ways.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants release Odell Beckham Jr., ending 2026 reunion