Not long after Odell Beckham Jr. caught a touchdown pass for the Rams during the second quarter of their 30-23 victory over the Cardinals — his third in as many games with Los Angeles — Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson posted a curious tweet.
“OBJ WAS NOT THE PROBLEM!! I hope y’all see that now…CLOWNS,” he wrote.
The tweet was likely referring to the falling out Beckham had with the Browns earlier this season, which eventually led to his release and subsequent signing with the Rams. Beckham never was able to develop much chemistry with Baker Mayfield, eventually getting to the point where his father posted an Instagram video of several instances where Beckham Jr. was open yet the quarterback didn’t get him the ball.
Jefferson, who like Beckham played at LSU before entering the NFL, did well to reignite the debate over who was to blame for the controversial end in Cleveland. In the four games since joining the Rams, Beckham has 15 catches for 204 yards on 25 targets, with three touchdowns. In six games with Cleveland, he caught 17 passes for 232 yards on 34 targets – an identical yards per catch number, but with a lower catch percentage.
Mayfield, in the five games he has played since Beckham left, has completed 80 of his 140 passes for 904 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while struggling through a variety of injuries. Compared to his season-long numbers, his yards per game and completion percentage are slightly down, while he has had his two worst games in terms of passer rating (against the Patriots and Lions).
Mayfield’s injuries muddle up what’s real and what’s not, but so far, it seems Beckham is better off on his new team. The Rams are 9-4 and feel like a lock for the playoffs, while the Browns are fighting for their lives at 7-6.