Odell Beckham Jr. is getting another chance in the NFL, and his latest stop could give the Minnesota Vikings what they need as they look to continue their undefeated start.
Minnesota signed the veteran wide receiver to its practice squad on Wednesday, adding a familiar face to an offense dealing with injuries to several key players.
The move comes as the Vikings prepare for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, with star receiver Justin Jefferson and wide receiver Jordan Addison both listed as questionable.
Jefferson is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in Week 3, while Addison has been dealing with a hamstring issue.
With playing time uncertain for both players, Beckham could find himself playing a prominent role when his new team first steps onto the field.
The three-time Pro Bowler has yet to be promoted to Minnesota’s active game-day roster, but head coach Kevin O’Connell hasn’t ruled out the possibility.
For Beckham, this opportunity represents another chapter in a career that has seen impressive peaks, frustrating injuries and multiple attempts to return to his previous form.
The 33-year-old starts the 2026 season with the New York Giants, the team that originally selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
His return to New York was brief.
Beckham appeared in three games for the Giants but received no targets and only one catch before being released on September 29.
Rather than let this setback end his NFL comeback, Beckham quickly found another opportunity with Minnesota.
This time, he joins a team with legitimate playoff aspirations.
The Vikings enter Week 5 with a perfect 4-0 record and are among the early contenders in the NFL. However, while their offense has struggled to get the ball in the air consistently, they have managed to do so.
With quarterback Kyler Murray leading the offense, Minnesota relied on defense and timely offense to stay undefeated.
Injuries to Jefferson and Addison only complicate matters.
Jefferson missed Minnesota’s Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins, causing the Vikings to lose their most dangerous offensive weapon.
Addison is also limited by a hamstring injury, creating additional uncertainty for the receiving corps.
This is where Beckham can help.
Although he is no longer the explosive receiver who dominated NFL highlights in his early years with the Giants, Beckham brings experience and familiarity with Minnesota’s coaching staff.
During Beckham’s forgettable 2021 season, O’Connell served as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator.
After joining Los Angeles midway through that season, Beckham became a key contributor to the Rams’ championship run.
He had 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular season games, then had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs.
Beckham also scored his first touchdown in Super Bowl VI against the Cincinnati Bengals, but then suffered a torn ACL.
Despite the injuries, Los Angeles won the championship, giving Beckham his first career Super Bowl ring.
Now, more than four years later, Beckham and O’Connell have the chance to work together again.
The familiarity could make the transition easier as the veteran receiver tries to learn Minnesota’s offense and prepare for a potential role.
Beckham also has close ties to Jefferson.
Both receivers played college football at LSU, and Beckham has maintained a friendship with the Vikings superstar.
That familiarity could help Beckham adjust to his new surroundings and make the transition a little easier.
However, questions remain about how much more value the veteran receiver can provide.
Beckham is out of football through the entire 2025 season, and his production in recent years has been a far cry from the numbers that once made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.
He had just nine catches for 55 yards in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins.
The last time he made a significant statistical contribution was with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, when he had 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
Minnesota doesn’t necessarily require Beckham to be the focal point of its passing attack.
Instead, the Vikings can use his experience as insurance while Jefferson and Addison work to return to full strength. If either receiver is unavailable for Sunday’s game, Beckham could be an option on the active game-day roster.
The game also has personal meaning.
Beckham is a New Orleans native, which means the Vikings debut will likely be in his hometown.
For a player who has spent the past few seasons trying to regain his footing, this opportunity could make his latest chapter in the NFL all the more meaningful.
The Vikings have proven they can win despite the challenges their offense faces.
Now they’re hoping a seasoned veteran can help provide them with another option to keep their undefeated season alive.
It remains to be seen whether Beckham will play on Sunday.
But Minnesota decided to bring him in, giving the former superstar another chance to prove he still has something to offer.