The New York Giants’ announcement in June 2026 felt like more than a footnote: Odell Beckham Jr. is back with the team that drafted him 12 years earlier. This return comes after a stretch of health concerns, a suspension, a settled lawsuit with Nike, and a public reckoning with his own body.

Age: 33 (born November 5, 1992) ·
Height: 5’11” ·
Weight: 198 lbs ·
College: LSU ·
NFL Teams: New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens ·
Super Bowl Wins: 1 (LVI with Rams)

Quick snapshot

1Career Highlights
2Health Journey
3Legal & Suspensions
  • Suspended in 2022 for conduct violation (NFL.com)
  • Nike contract dispute ended in a draw (CBS Sports)
  • Settlement terms not disclosed (NFL.com)
4Personal Life
  • Relationship with Lauren Wood (on/off)
  • Father to son Zydn
  • Resides in Florida

Ten key facts, one pattern: a career that peaked early, fractured under pressure, and is now attempting a second act.

Label Value
Full Name Odell Cornelius Beckham Jr.
Date of Birth November 5, 1992
Height / Weight 5’11” / 198 lbs
College LSU
NFL Draft 2014, Round 1, Pick 12 (New York Giants)
Teams Giants (2014-2018), Browns (2019-2021), Rams (2021), Ravens (2023), Giants (2026)
Super Bowl LVI (2022) with Rams
Career Receptions 567
Career Receiving Yards 7,932
Career Touchdowns 59

What’s going on with Odell Beckham Jr.?

Current status and 2026 return to Giants

On June 4, 2026, the New York Giants announced that Odell Beckham Jr. had signed a one-year deal and returned to the franchise after a seven-year absence (New York Giants official site). The signing followed a Monday workout with team officials. NFL.com confirmed that Beckham had not played the previous season because he served a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

GiantsWire noted that the deal means Beckham will enter his 11th NFL season (Giants Wire / USA Today). The Athletic reported that contract terms had not been disclosed at the time of publication (The Athletic).

Will he play in 2026?

Beckham has not publicly committed to a timeline. The Giants’ announcement described him as “one of the most electric players ever to wear a Giants uniform,” but the team has not stated whether he will be ready for Week 1. His health condition — revealed in a 2025 interview with Prevention Magazine — remains undisclosed, and he has continued training in Florida. The implication: the Giants are betting on a 33-year-old receiver with an uncertain health profile and a recent suspension, a gamble that could pay off if Beckham stays healthy.

The trade-off

Beckham gets a second chance in New York. The Giants get a proven playmaker. But the health condition and suspension history mean both sides are betting on a body that has already broken twice.

What is Odell Beckham Jr’s disease?

Details from Prevention Magazine report

In a 2025 interview with Prevention Magazine, Beckham revealed that he has been living with a health condition that he described as a “wake-up call.” He urged fans to prioritize regular check-ups. The specific condition has not been publicly named, and Beckham has not elaborated on symptoms or treatment. Prevention Magazine is a respected health publication, but the article is behind a paywall, limiting public access.

How it impacts his career

Beckham has continued to train in Florida and maintained his weight at 198 lbs. There is no evidence that the condition prevents him from playing football, but the lack of transparency leaves the NFL community guessing. The catch: until Beckham or the Giants release medical clearance, every snap is a question mark.

What to watch

If Beckham’s condition is chronic, the Giants may need to manage his practice load. If it was a one-off scare, he could return to form. The absence of a named diagnosis is unusual for a player of his profile.

Why did Odell Beckham Jr. leave the NFL?

Trade from Giants to Browns

Beckham did not leave voluntarily. In March 2019, the Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns. He later told NFL.com that he “never wanted to leave” New York. The trade came after a 2018 season in which Beckham posted 1,052 receiving yards, but the Giants were rebuilding.

Departure from Browns and brief retirement rumors

After three seasons in Cleveland, Beckham was released in November 2021. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams and won Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, but tore his ACL in the same game. The injury sidelined him for most of 2022. He returned to the field with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, catching 35 passes for 565 yards. After the 2024 season, no team signed him — until the Giants called.

Free agency moves to Rams and Ravens

The pattern: Beckham’s talent has never been questioned, but his availability has. The ACL tear, the suspension, and the undisclosed health condition have made teams cautious. The Athletic pointed out that the seven-year gap between his Giants stints underscores how quickly his career trajectory shifted (The Athletic).

Why was Odell Beckham suspended from the NFL?

NFL conduct policy violations

Beckham’s 2022 suspension was for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. NFL.com reported that he served a six-game ban. A Reddit post attributed to NFL insider Tom Pelissero (low-confidence source) claimed Beckham accepted the suspension after the 2024 season, but official league records confirm the 2022 date.

Earlier, in 2015, Beckham was suspended one game for on-field conduct against the Carolina Panthers. ESPN reported that he was allowed to practice during the appeal.

Nike lawsuit context

In 2023, Beckham filed a lawsuit against Nike, seeking more than $20 million in damages. CBS Sports reported that the dispute stemmed from his endorsement contract. Yahoo Sports added that Beckham claimed Nike withheld more than $2 million from a March 2022 payment, citing alleged glove and footwear violations. The case was settled out of court; terms were not disclosed.

What is Odell Beckham Jr. doing now?

Personal life and relationship with Lauren Wood

Beckham is in an on-again, off-again relationship with model Lauren Wood. The couple has a son, Zydn, born in 2022. Wood has not publicly commented on the reunion. Beckham resides in Florida and has been training there.

Net worth and business ventures

Public estimates place Beckham’s net worth at around $40 million, accumulated through NFL contracts and endorsements with Nike, Head & Shoulders, and other brands. For context on athlete earnings, see this breakdown of Tyson Fury Net Worth, Record, and Fight Schedule and Tommy Fury: Biography, Boxing Record, Net Worth and More.

Training and potential return

Beckham has been working out in Florida, posting videos on Instagram. He has not officially announced whether he intends to play in the 2026 season. The Giants’ one-year deal suggests a prove-it arrangement.

Timeline signal

  • May 2014 – Drafted by New York Giants
  • 2014-2018 – 3× Pro Bowl, Rookie of Year, iconic catch vs Cowboys
  • March 2019 – Traded to Cleveland Browns
  • 2021 season – Released by Browns, signed by Rams, wins Super Bowl LVI (Feb 2022)
  • February 2022 – ACL tear in Super Bowl LVI
  • October 2022 – Suspended by NFL for conduct violation
  • 2023 season – Signed with Baltimore Ravens
  • 2024 – Free agent; no team signed
  • 2025 – Revealed health condition in Prevention magazine
  • June 2026 – Returns to New York Giants

Confirmed facts

  • Height, weight, college, draft position
  • NFL teams played for
  • Super Bowl win with Rams
  • 2022 suspension
  • Nike lawsuit settled
  • Return to Giants in 2026

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of health condition
  • Relationship status with Lauren Wood
  • Whether he will play in 2026 season
  • Details of Nike settlement
  • Future contract with Giants

What the experts are saying

“I never wanted to leave New York.”

— Odell Beckham Jr., speaking to NFL.com about his 2019 trade

“This is a wake-up call. I want people to know they need to get checked.”

— Beckham, in Prevention Magazine (2025), discussing his health condition

For the Giants, the choice is clear: Beckham’s talent is still worth a one-year flier, but the risk of injury or another suspension remains. If he stays healthy and focused, New York gets a legitimate No. 1 receiver. If not, the experiment ends quietly, and Beckham’s legacy as a one-decade wonder will be sealed.

Fans interested in his financial details can read more about Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants return and 2026 contract terms.

Frequently asked questions

How many Super Bowls has Odell Beckham Jr won?

One. He won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams in February 2022.

What is Odell Beckham Jr’s net worth?

Public estimates place his net worth at approximately $40 million, earned through NFL contracts and endorsements.

Freddie Clarke
Freddie ClarkeStaff Writer

Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.