Odell Beckham Jr. finds himself on the roster bubble as the New York Giants approach the league’s final roster cutdown. Following Friday’s preseason finale against the New York Jets, head coach John Harbaugh addressed the veteran wide receiver’s standing with the franchise as management weighs its final decisions ahead of the Sunday deadline at 6 p.m. ET.
John Harbaugh Assesses Beckham’s Preseason Performance
Beckham finished Friday’s contest with three catches on six targets for 53 yards. The performance included a near-miss on a potential 73-yard touchdown after he beat coverage downfield on a deep ball from Jameis Winston. Harbaugh said Wednesday that he thought the preceding week had been Beckham’s best of training camp.
I think he has done enough to make an NFL roster for sure,
Harbaugh said Friday about Beckham (h/t Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). He's played well. He's gotten better as camp's gone along, and I think he deserves credit for that.
John Harbaugh, New York Giants Head Coach
Beckham expressed clear emotional ties to the organization during the in-game broadcast, emphasizing his desire to continue his career in New York.
It would mean everything,
Beckham said about potentially making the Giants roster on the in-game broadcast. It would be my dream. This is where I started. There's no place I want to give my whole heart to, more than anything else in the world, is this place right here.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants Wide Receiver
I'm super grateful for the opportunity, and at this point, it's in God's hands. I know that I have a good feeling about myself. I feel like there's ball to be played, there's plays to be made. Following
Roster Competition and Personal Stakes for Beckham
The path back to New York comes after a winding career arc. Beckham, who will turn 34 in November, played three Pro Bowl seasons with the Giants between 2014 and 2016 before his career was derailed by injuries. He last played in the NFL during the 2024 season, during which he appeared in nine games but saw minimal usage with the Miami Dolphins. He did not sign with any team during the 2025 season, which he started out by serving a six-game suspension for failing the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Now trying to make his NFL comeback, front offices evaluate roster spots based on team construction rather than sentiment, and Beckham’s evaluation involves his fit within the receiver rotation since it seems farfetched that he would contribute on special teams. A dropped touchdown in the second preseason game also occurred during his evaluation.
Harbaugh acknowledged the personal dedication driving the veteran wideout’s camp performance in comments highlighted by Giants Wire.
I mean, I love Odell. I do,
Giants head coach John Harbaugh said, via Giants Wire. “What he’s doing, what he’s fighting for, I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. It’s going to turn out the way it turns out, based on what happens. But to see his fight, his determination, his humility. He’s got his son in camp the other day, you know, he’s doing it for his son. You know, that just, as a friend, that makes me really proud of him.”
John Harbaugh, New York Giants Head Coach
Injuries and Roster Decisions Facing the Giants
Several factors complicate the final composition of the receiving corps. The Giants are trying to make their NFL comeback in a wide receiver room that just lost receiver Calvin Austin III to a season-ending torn right ACL. Harbaugh addressed the roster shift following the injury on Wednesday.
It just means that the next guy steps up and fills that role. We have to readjust,
Harbaugh said Wednesday about Austin’s injury.
John Harbaugh, New York Giants Head Coach
That opening, paired with preseason struggles from Braxton Berrios, leaves Harbaugh to decide if Beckham’s training camp and Austin’s injury are enough to justify keeping Beckham around. However, analysts note that if Beckham makes the active squad, it probably means 2023 third-round draft pick Jalin Hyatt does not, though both could end up not making the roster.
The Giants must finalize their roster by the 53-man roster deadline this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, setting the stage for when the Giants open the regular-season Sept. 13 against the visiting Dallas Cowboys.
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