November 23, 2024

Odell Beckham takes in UFC 287 in Miami before pivotal Jets visit

Odell #Odell

Odell Beckham Jr. took a detour to UFC 287 in Miami before his meeting with the Jets on Monday.

The star free agent — and Gang Green target — was introduced on the UFC 287 broadcast as the “great Odell Beckham Jr.” alongside other celebrities and NFL stars, such as Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

They all watched Israel Adesanya knock out Alex Pereira to take back the UFC middleweight title Pereira won from him in November.

Beckham’s night at Kaseya Center overlapped with a pivotal stretch in his offseason and return to an NFL field, with a “multi-faceted” Jets visit looming Monday — something that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported will include a physical and “thorough discussion of what to expect in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense with a deep WR room.”

The Post’s Paul Schwartz confirmed Saturday that Beckham will visit the Jets four years after his tenure with the Giants ended with a trade to the Browns.

Beckham didn’t play during the 2022 season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI, though he received interest from some teams about a potential late-season return.

Odell Beckham Jr. spent Saturday night in Miami at UFC 287 ahead of his Jets visit.Odell Beckham Jr. spent Saturday night in Miami at UFC 287 ahead of his Jets visit.Getty Images

In the end, a deal for the playoffs and into future seasons never materialized, and the Beckham sweepstakes faded for a few weeks.

That changed following the season, as free agency crept closer and Beckham held a workout in Arizona in front of 12-14 NFL teams — flashing his signature one-handed catch, running routes with USFL quarterback Ryan Willis and trying to convince NFL front offices that he could add something to their wide receiver position.

Rodgers, who publicly announced his intentions to play for the Jets in 2023, reportedly included Beckham on a list of players he hoped the Jets would pursue, among other wideouts Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard.

Odell Beckham Jr. attended UFC 287 on Saturday.Odell Beckham Jr. attended UFC 287 on Saturday.Getty Images Odell Beckham Jr. last played with the Rams, and he suffered a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI.Odell Beckham Jr. last played with the Rams, and he suffered a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI.Getty Images

Lazard has since signed with the Jets — on a four-year deal worth $44 million — and the team also added former Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman, filling a wide receiver position that already included Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis.

The Ravens have also emerged as a contender for Beckham, as ESPN reported that Baltimore offered him a contract.

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