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Diasabra 6 November 2021

Down and out: Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. released by Browns

wire, he’ll be a free agent and 7 last season when Beckham topic.
can sign anywhere. suffered a season-ending
knee injury. When Beckham went down
“It’s disappointing,” Browns with his knee injury last Oc-
coach Kevin Stefanski said Garrett thinks the saga could tober, it appeared to free up
following Friday’s practice. unite the Browns. Mayfield, who played better
“Obviously, unfortunate how without the playmaker and
it all went down, but I wish “I think it will bring us to- led the Browns to their first
him well.” gether,” said the league’s playoff appearance in 18 sea-
sacks leader. “It did the sons and first postseason win
Stefanski said he has not spo- first time he went out, even since 1994.
ken to Beckham, who could though that was against any-
wind up facing the Browns at one’s wishes, but we found Beckham worked hard to
some point this season. a way and I think this year return from a torn anterior
we’re going to do the same cruciate ligament this season,
Browns star defensive end thing.” and there was a time when
Myles Garrett was somewhat it looked as if his relation-
(AP) — Odell Beckham port to practice for two days shocked by the speed that the One of he NFL’s most tal- ship with Mayfield and the
Jr.’s run his last route for as his representation worked situation unfolded. ented receivers, Beckham has Browns was finally working.
the Browns. He’s wide with Browns general man- also been one of its most irk- However, he was rarely a
open now. ager Andrew Berry on agree- “It was quicker than anyone some. major part of the game plan
able financial terms for his expected,” Garrett said. “I — other than to be a decoy
The polarizing wide receiv- departure. wish we got a little bit more He came to Cleveland in a — and Beckham was notice-
er is being released by the communication between blockbuster 2019 trade from ably upset after Sunday’s loss
Cleveland Browns, who are “After careful consideration, upper management and the New York Giants, who to Pittsburgh when he caught
cutting ties with Beckham internal discussions and con- the players, a little bit more had grown tired of his self- just one pass for 6 yards in a
after a drama-filled stay that versations with Odell and his knowledge of what was going absorbed antics. His arrival 15-10 loss.
ended with him being told to representation, we’ve deter- on because it seemed just like on the Browns brought un-
stay home from practice. mined that it is in the best it happened overnight. realistic expectations in the The video — along with a
interest of all parties involved first season and played a role tweet from LeBron James,
Beckham’s unceremonious that Odell no longer play for “Things just like kind of in the team going 6-10 and who said “OBJ will show
exit — not completely of- the Cleveland Browns,” Ber- snowballed. Wish we would undergoing another coaching again why he’s special. WR1
ficial — came on Friday, his ry said in a statement. “We have just known and that’s change. #FreeOBJ” — looked to be
29th birthday, and a few days appreciate all his efforts and the tough part. I feel like that orchestrated by Beckham and
after his father shared a video contributions while in Cleve- happens a lot in the league Although he insisted he was the clearest sign a breakup
on social media highlighting land, but we’ve just reached a where things are just happen- happy in Cleveland, where was necessary.
times when Browns quarter- point where it is best that we ing to players and we have to he was reunited with former
back Baker Mayfield didn’t move forward as a team with- react instead of having some college teammate and close Beckham, who has been
throw passes to the three- out Odell. communication from the top friend Jarvis Landry, Beck- playing with a shoulder
time Pro Bowler. down.” ham didn’t seem to like not sprain for the past few weeks,
“We are finalizing the process being in a big market. He had 17 catches for 232 yards
It was a tipping point in the of granting Odell his release Garrett knew Beckham was reportedly told opponents and zero touchdowns in six
team’s often-unstable rela- and we wish him well as he frustrated, but wasn’t aware on the field during pregame games this season. He only
tionship with him. continues his career.” of him demanding to be trad- warmups to “come get me” had two 100-yard games in
ed. in the offseason. 29 with Cleveland.
The Browns didn’t appreci- Once the sides agree to fi-
ate the video or that Beck- nancial terms — Beckham is Now that Beckham’s gone, Beckham seemed to fall in “We have to pick up the
ham didn’t reach out to May- owed $8 million this season the Browns can put their full line last season under Ste- pieces and keep on striving
field, who said he was wiling — Beckham will be waived attention on Sunday’s game fanski, but he never made a for greatness,” Garrett said.
to work things out. and can be claimed by any against the Cincinnati Ben- strong on-field connection “He’s gone and we’ve still got
team with enough salary-cap gals. Coincidentally, it was with Mayfield, and their lack to win. We’ve still got a game
Beckham was told not to re- space. If he clears the waiver against the Bengals in Week of chemistry was a constant on Sunday.”

Schwarber, Pederson decline options, become free agents

(AP) — Atlanta outfielder and five RBIs in the Division two years of hus $68 million, O’Day, a side-arming right- player option and a $6.4 mil-
Joc Pederson and Boston Series against Milwaukee and four-year contract, which hander who turned 39 on lion club option with a $1.4
infielder-outfielder Kyle one homer and four RBIs in called for $16 million salaries Oct. 22, agreed last February million buyout.
Schwarber were among 10 the League Championship in 2022 and ’23 and includes to a $3.15 million, one-year
players who became free Series vs. the Los Angeles a $20 million mutual option contract that included a $1.4 Milwaukee outfielder Avisaíl
agents Thursday when Dodgers, then went 1 for 15 for 2024 with a $2 million million player option and a García’ declined his part of
they both declined 2022 in the World Series against buyout. $3.15 million club option a mutual option. His deal
mutual options in their Houston. with a $700,000 buyout. guaranteed $18 million in
contracts. Yankees outfielder Brett salary and included a $12
Schwarber agreed to a $10 Gardner and reliever Darren Outfielder Kole Calhoun’s million mutual option with
Pederson agreed with the million, one-year contract O’Day declined mutual op- $9 million option was de- a $2 million buyout, but only
Cubs in February to a $7 mil- with Washington in January tions, as did New York. clined by Arizona, trigger- if exercised by the player and
lion, one-year contract that that included a $7 million sal- ing a $2 million buyout and declined by the club.
included a $4.5 million salary ary and an $11.5 million mu- Gardner, a 38-year-old out- completing a $16 million,
and a $10 million mutual op- tual option with a $3 million fielder, agreed early in spring two-year contract. Oakland left-hander Andrew
tion with a $2.5 million buy- buyout. He was traded to the training to a $5.15 million, Chafin’s $5.25 million mu-
out. He was traded to Atlanta Red Sox in July. one-year contract that in- Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar tual option was exercised by
in July and helped the Braves cluded a $2.3 million player became a free agent after he the team and declined by the
win their first World Series Cincinnati outfielder Nick option and a $7.15 million and New York both declined player, triggering a $500,000
title since 1995, Castellanos became a free club option with a $1.15 mil- options. His deal called for a buyout. His deal included a
agent after exercising his lion buyout. $3.6 million salary this year $2.75 million salary this year.
Pederson had two homers right to opt out of the last and included a $2.9 million