Odell Beckham Jr. is getting another chance to prove he still belongs in the NFL, just days after his highly anticipated reunion with the New York Giants came to an abrupt end.
The 33-year-old wide receiver signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on Wednesday, October 7, giving him a fresh opportunity to revive his career after a disappointing start to the 2026 season.
According to the Minnesota Vikings’ official announcement, Beckham joins an undefeated team sitting at 4-0. Although the Vikings are winning games, their offense has struggled to find consistency, potentially creating an opportunity for the veteran receiver to contribute.
The signing comes just eight days after the Giants released Beckham on September 29, bringing his emotional return to the franchise that drafted him to a surprisingly quick conclusion.
According to NFL.com, Beckham earned a spot on New York’s initial 53-man roster following training camp but barely saw the field once the regular season began.
He appeared in three games, played only 19 offensive snaps and received just one target without recording a reception.
For a player who became one of football’s biggest stars wearing a Giants uniform, the brief reunion was a frustrating development. Beckham had returned hoping to rebuild his career in the same city where he first became a household name.
Instead, he was released before the team even reached its fourth game.
But Minnesota could offer something New York never provided during his return: a legitimate opportunity to earn meaningful playing time.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the Vikings are dealing with injuries to two of their most important receivers, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 and missed Minnesota’s fourth game. Addison, meanwhile, has been managing a hamstring issue.
The team’s other receiving options have struggled to make a significant impact. Veteran Jauan Jennings has recorded just two receptions on four targets since joining Minnesota.
Those circumstances could create an opening for Beckham to work his way into the rotation, particularly if the injuries continue limiting the team’s offensive options.
And Beckham already has an important connection within the organization.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell previously worked with Beckham as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator during the team’s Super Bowl-winning 2021 season.
That familiarity could help Beckham transition into Minnesota’s offense much faster than another receiver learning an entirely new system.
O’Connell even acknowledged that Beckham could potentially play as soon as Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
“I’ve seen him do it before,” O’Connell told reporters Wednesday, recalling how Beckham suited up for the Rams only three days after joining the organization.
“The good thing about our system is we’ve got some mechanisms that either he can quickly learn and know those are absolutes if we need to go that route in the game, if he were to be elevated.”
That confidence from a familiar coach could be exactly what Beckham needs following his disappointing experience in New York.
His previous partnership with O’Connell also produced meaningful results. According to the Vikings, Beckham recorded 21 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns during the Rams’ 2021 postseason run, helping Los Angeles capture Super Bowl LVI.
For Beckham, the move also carries a personal connection. The Vikings noted that he is friends with Jefferson, and both receivers played college football at LSU.
Still, his latest opportunity comes with considerable pressure.
Beckham last recorded an NFL reception during the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins, when he finished with nine catches for 54 yards. He did not play in the league in 2025.
His career numbers remain impressive, with 575 receptions, 7,987 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns, according to Minnesota’s official team records. However, his recent production shows just how challenging his attempt to return to form has become.
Unlike his situation with the Giants, Beckham now joins a team with an established winning record, familiar coaching leadership, and immediate concerns at his position.
A practice squad contract does not guarantee regular season playing time, but it gives him an opportunity to learn the offense, demonstrate his abilities in practice and potentially earn a promotion to the active roster.
If Beckham can contribute while Minnesota’s receiving corps deals with injuries, the opportunity could rebuild confidence in his ability to help an NFL offense and improve his chances of extending his career.
After being cut so quickly by the franchise where his professional journey began, Beckham now has an opportunity to show that his football story does not have to end with that disappointment.
ESPN also reported that O’Connell remains optimistic about Jennings despite his limited receiving production.
“I think Jauan’s done a lot of really good things [blocking] in the run game for us,” O’Connell said. “He’s had a couple chances [in the passing game] where maybe either the rhythm and timing or just a little more detail showing up out of the group as a whole, Jauan included, [would have helped]. But we’re not far off, and Jauan’s going to be a guy that’s going to make some plays for us.”
That means Beckham will still have to compete for opportunities rather than immediately inherit a significant role.
For a veteran fighting to keep his NFL career alive, however, getting another chance with a coach who already knows what he can bring to a championship team could make all the difference.
