Will the Kansas City Chiefs Add Odell Beckham Jr. To the Roster?

One of the biggest blockbuster trades occurred on March 13th, 2019. The New York Giants would send wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. The Giants would receive 2019 1st round pick No. 17 (Dexter Lawrence), 2019 3rd round pick No 95 (Oshane Ximinies), and Jabrill Peppers. Fans across the NFL were in shock that Beckham Jr. would be pairing with Jarvis Landry in Cleveland. Fast forward to November 5th, 2021, and the Cleveland Browns have decided to release Odell Beckham Jr.

According to Ian Rapoport, “sources are saying the Browns are releasing star wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., as the two sides came together on a resolution to end his Cleveland tenure. At long last, he’s out and he’ll head to waivers.”

According to Josina Anderson, “Odell Beckham Jr. has $8.05M remaining in base salary. The Browns have salary conversion rights in his contract. This means the club has the ability to convert his salary into a signing bonus. The more money converted, the less salary left making it easier for a team to claim him.”

Can the Chiefs Claim Him on Waivers

Originally the idea of him being claimed was slim due to the base salary. Now that the money can be converted, teams could be more likely to claim him on waivers versus him clearing waivers and reaching free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs would have the best chance at signing him to a contract if he were to clear waivers. With Week 9 of the NFL season underway adding a star-wide receiver like Odell Beckham Jr. could resurrect a season.

According to cbssports.com, the Kansas City Chiefs are No. 18 on the waiver wire. With that being said teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots are ahead of the Chiefs and could all use his talents.

If Odell Beckham Jr hits free agency it has been rumored Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints would look to add the wide receiver. The Saints will be without their star-wideout Michael Thomas for the year after offseason surgery. Beckham also played college football at LSU.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs Get Odell Beckham Jr.?

According to spotrac.com, the Kansas City Chiefs currently have an estimated $2,476,680 in cap space. One way for the Chiefs to obtain Odell Beckham Jr. is to claim him on waivers. 17 other teams would have to pass on a claim for the Chiefs to add him. This is where the cap comes into play. They may not be able to afford the receiver and ultimately have to pass on a claim.

The next option would be to sign him after clearing waivers. Another scenario where the Kansas City Chiefs would have to assess their salary cap. At this point, a bidding war could occur. The Chiefs are not in a position to participate and would have to bow out.

Another major consideration does he fit with the team. Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs have Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman, Marcus Kemp, and Josh Gordon. Some would argue he is an elite receiver and you make room. Others would say there is not enough to go around. As stated the Chiefs brought in Josh Gordon to fill a void at the No. 2 wideout spot and he has been targeted three times catching one for 11 yards.

In the end, there would be a lot of things that have to go the Chiefs’ way in order for him to get on the team. Even if the scenarios play out the Chiefs do not have unlimited cap space, and I do not see them being able to afford him. As stated above the chemistry already exist with players such as Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce, and trying to wedge another into the mix will only make it difficult. I do not believe he ends up with the Kansas City Chiefs.