Though they have already had more than their share of blockbuster signings this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams still very much remain open to another one.
Re-signing Odell Beckham remains on the team's wish list, Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said, though he admitted it likely could be a while.
"I think everybody would love to have Odell the player back, Odell the person back, you know, Odell the human being. He was a great asset for us, we enjoyed having him around," Demoff said on The Athletic's 11 Personnel podcast with Jourdan Rodrigue and Rich Hammond. "You know, but I think ultimately, when you're in resource allocation, when you know a player who would probably come in and help you, maybe for the last few weeks, but really in the playoffs, your focus right now has to go on those who are going to be here for training camp, start the season for you. And then how much can you leave for a player of Odell's caliber? If we didn't have a salary cap we could've signed Odell months ago and would've loved to. Is it a multi-year deal, is it a one-year deal?
"All kinds of variables that come into Odell. The one variable that hasn't changed is how much we love him and want him to be here. I think he's expressed over social his desire to be here. Am I optimistic that we can get a deal done over time? Yes. Do I think a healthy Odell is a contributor for all 32 teams in the NFL? Yes. I think that's probably the point we're at. Fingers crossed, it would be great to have him back."
From head coach Sean McVay to fellow wide receiver Cooper Kupp, it's been no secret that the reigning Super Bowl champions want OBJ back in the building. A lingering issue is, of course, Beckham's torn ACL, which he suffered during the Rams' Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, one in which he'd already caught a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford before his departure.
Thus, while seemingly everyone within the Rams organization wants Beckham back, his health and availability push working out a deal down on the priority list, as Demoff spelled out.
"With Odell, I think, given the rehab, the timeline of coming back probably won't be until later in the year, I just think the sense of urgency, both from his side and probably from our side and maybe other teams, is, it's not right there for him," Demoff said. "We would love to have him back. We would welcome him back with open arms tomorrow."
So far this offseason, the Rams have added free agents Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson, signed Stafford and Kupp to lucrative extensions and restructured Aaron Donald to make him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. Thus, even though the Rams' signings have had many scratching their heads in wonderment regarding the salary cap, L.A. has roughly $7.6 million in cap room, per Over the Cap, and must be mindful. Throwing a sizable offering at Beckham now when he might not be available until late in the season isn't likely to be the best move for the club.
Beckham blossomed in his time with the Rams, starting slow and coming off strong during a historic run to the championship.
A three-time Pro Bowler with the New York Giants who was signed by the Rams after the Cleveland Browns had waived him, Beckham tallied 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games with L.A. In the postseason though, he became a bigger contributor. In four games (roughly three and a half considering his injury), Beckham posted 25 catches for 316 yards and two TDs.
"Odell was such a huge piece of what we did," Demoff said.
Thanks to his contributions at the end of last season, Beckham is likely to draw suitors beyond L.A.
Demoff is hopeful it will all work out and OBJ won't leave L.A., but if the wideout does move on, Demoff understands.
"We'd all love for it to go our way, if it doesn't, we'll certainly understand that perspective, as well," he said. "Both sides have had open dialogue, both sides respectful, excited. Couldn't be more grateful for what Odell did for our team last year and the chance to meet him and watch him flourish in L.A."
For now, the Rams' hopes for bringing back Beckham remain a constant, but a signing certainly doesn't appear to be imminent.
