Wide receiver contract choice made by the Baltimore Ravens while Odell Beckham Jr.’s future is unclear
Although the Baltimore Ravens confirmed that wide receiver Nelson Aghalor’s contract was extended, Odell Beckham Jr.’s future with the organization is still up in the air.
The decision to retain another wide receiver by the Baltimore Ravens has left Odell Beckham Jr.’s future with the organization uncertain. Nelson Aghalor, one of Lamar Jackson’s top targets, recently inked a contract extension with the Ravens, but they haven’t made a decision with Beckham yet.
Nine-year NFL veteran Aghalor was a vital member of the Ravens’ locker room as they won the No. 1 seed, advanced to the AFC Championship, and ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl.
Aghalor was the third wide receiver for the Ravens and got along well with Beckham and Zay Flowers. He was a 2017 Super Bowl winner with the Philadelphia Eagles. He hauled in 381 yards and a touchdown after catching 35 of his 45 targets. In the playoffs’ Divisional round, he also scored a touchdown in the Ravens’ triumph over the Houston Texans.
Aghalor’s dedication to the Ravens has strengthened their receiving corps, especially with star wide receiver Flowers beginning the second season of his rookie contract and elite tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely likely to sign contracts through 2025.
But Beckham’s future remains unclear. The 31-year-old, who signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the team last year, is set to become a free agency. Beckham finished the regular season with a solid 565 yards and three touchdowns, despite missing two games due to injury.
Before suffering a devastating knee injury in Super Bowl LVI, the former star of the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants showed flashes of his incredible talents that made him one of the top receivers in the NFL. But now that Beckham has a high price tag, the Ravens must make a significant decision.
With limited funds heading into the 2024 season, the Ravens will have to make some difficult decisions. John Harbaugh, the head coach, is working to assemble a formidable team that was just outside of the Super Bowl. A new contract for the three-time Pro Bowler won’t be inexpensive either, as teams from all over the league are expected to show interest in Beckham.
The past injury history of Beckham must also be taken into account. Beckham has struggled with his ankle and shoulder after suffering a catastrophic knee injury during the Super Bowl victory against the Cincinnati Bengals two years ago. This has had an impact on his play last season.
The Ravens will have to consider a number of factors before determining whether to retain him for an additional season, including the possibility that his age will be a factor.
Rashod Bateman is probably going to see more action in the offense if Beckham isn’t playing for the Ravens in Week 1. Entering his fourth year in the league, the 24-year-old caught 32 catches for 367 yards and a score during the regular season. He was a former first-round choice. Baltimore may possibly be considering the position of receiver when it selects third overall in the NFL Draft in April.
