After the reveal of Odell Beckham Jr.’s chances to make the 53-man roster, the New York Giants did little to calm the speculation. Ahead of the 2026 NFL season, the team in East Rutherford agreed on its leadership council for the year, and Odell wasn’t voted by his teammates.
According to Art Stapleton from USA Today, John Harbaugh noted the following players have been voted team leaders on the Giants: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, Brian Burns, Andrew Thomas, Tremaine Edmunds, Jevon Holland, Jordan Stout, and Chris Manhertz.
The fact that Beckham Jr. wasn’t voted in by his teammates may be very telling, just as it may not be a major reason for concern. On paper, it makes sense that his teammates didn’t vote for Odell, considering they have no guarantee the veteran wideout will even make the roster.
Roster cuts are coming to East Rutherford. In fact, the trimming of the roster has already begun, with the Giants releasing Ryan Miller and updating their WR depth chart. Because Beckham Jr. wasn’t voted a team leader, there is no ethical barrier preventing the Giants from cutting the veteran wideout, leaving plenty of room for speculation. Odell may have to keep his eyes peeled.
What it means for Beckham Jr. and odds of making roster
However, had Beckham Jr. been voted into the circle, it could have been the perfect way for New York to convince itself to roll into the new NFL season with Beckham Jr. in its ranks. That didn’t happen, though, and Odell will have to do his talking and convincing on the gridiron.
If a recent Malik Nabers update suggested Beckham Jr. would have to step up to make the roster, this report on the leaders’ council only confirms that the work is just getting started for the 33-year-old wide receiver.
NY Giants’ captains
The Giants’ leadership group for the 2026 NFL season isn’t just an honor in name. In truth, it essentially highlights who will serve as the team’s game-day captains on Sundays throughout the season. New York remains undecided on whether Beckham Jr. will even don Big Blue on Sundays, let alone whether he’ll have a C patch on his jersey.
On the heels of the locker room’s decision, there is room for fans to come up with all sort of conspiracy theories, too. Maybe Odell indeed received votes from his teammates but was left off because the Giants remain wary, or better yet, because the G-Men have already made up their minds and will cut OBJ.
That’s all conjecture, though. What’s real is that the Giants’ leaders are set for 2026, Beckham Jr. won’t be among them, at least not on paper. In all honesty, should he make the 53-man roster, there’s no way Odell’s voice won’t be one of the ones the rest of the locker room listens to for advice and guidance.
