13 March 2023 , 16:10
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Free agent Odell Beckham Jr is reportedly demanding $20million (£16.4m) after holding a private workout with 12 NFL teams in attendance ahead of the 2023 season.
The wide receiver has been a free agent ever since being released by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, but a number of teams have been interested in his services. Beckham Jr held an open workout on Friday in Arizona hoping to put himself back in the shop window.
Beckham Jr didn't feature in the 2022 season, and hasn't played since he suffered a torn ACL - the second of his NFL career - in the 2021 Super Bowl.
However, the 30-year-old did pay visits to three teams last term, as he completed a mini-tour around the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. As a result of his injuries, no team took a chance on the wide receiver in 2022, but the Bills were one of the teams in attendance on Friday and could bring Beckham Jr back to the NFL.
However, whoever takes a chance on the 2021 Super Bowl winner will have to cough up $20m-a-year, according to NBC Sports. That was the number floating around in the 2022 season and Beckham Jr is said to still be keen on collecting that yearly figure.
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The report does go on to state that Beckham Jr’s demands could fall short unless he can prove that he can still play to a high level. He likely needs to re-establish himself before he can get what he’s looking for.
Odell Beckham Jr is a free agent after being released by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 following an ACL injury (Getty)Beckham Jr could collect $20m-a-year but he would have to prove his worth in 2023 in order to be handed an extension. The report adds that he may have to take a “prove-it type deal”. Beckham Jr is also only interested in joining a play-off contender as he eyes potential future Super Bowl glory.
The Cowboys are also said to still be interested as the franchise haven't fully replaced Amari Cooper, and owner Jerry Jones is keen to give quarterback Dak Prescott more options.
Jones said before meeting with Beckham Jr last season: "Odell is someone that we have all the appreciation in the world for what he is as a competitor. I know the Cowboys star on that helmet, when he puts it on, could look pretty good."
Beckham Jr was also seen attending a Dallas Mavericks NBA game alongside Cowboys stars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs at the time, but soon left the region.