Cleveland Browns release Odell Beckham Jr.; disgruntled wide receiver heads to waivers

The Cleveland Browns released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday, ending a rocky two-plus year tenure with the team, the Browns announced.

Beckham will now head to the waiver wire after a negotiation concerning the terms of his release are finalized. Teams won't be able to claim Beckham on waivers until next week.

"After careful consideration, internal discussions and conversations with Odell and his representation, we've determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. "We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we've just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell. We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career."

Beckham's release was swift this week after his father posted a video on social media pinpointing numerous times that quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't target Beckham or missed chances for receptions when he was open.

Beckham's agent and the Browns began discussing an exit strategy after Tuesday's trade deadline passed, and the sides agreed the receiver would not practice with the team and would remain away from team headquarters on Wednesday and Thursday. Then on Friday came the announcement from Berry that Beckham will receive his release.

Berry's predecessor John Dorsey acquired Beckham via trade in March of 2019 after his relationship with the New York Giants had soured. Beckham, who turned 29 on Friday, recorded 1,000 receiving yards that first season with the Browns, but then had his following season cut short by a torn ACL after producing mixed results leading up to the injury.

Beckham had offered only minimal impact this season. Since the start of the 2020 season, he has played in just 13 games with 40 catches for 551 yards and three touchdowns.

In 29 games with the Browns, Beckham had 114 catches for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns, including 17 catches for 232 yards and no touchdowns in 2021.

Beckham had hoped for a trade. But the Browns couldn't find any teams willing to offer adequate compensation for his services.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disgruntled Odell Beckham Jr. gains release from Cleveland Browns