“Forever my heart bleeds blue,” Odell Beckham Jr. wrote on his Instagram Stories, alongside a video of the streets of New York with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” playing in the background.

In true New Yorker fashion, the 33-year-old wide receiver sent the ultimate message to the fanbase as the 2026 NFL season looms around the corner. Shortly after Odell’s spot on the Giants’ wide receiver depth chart was confirmed, he confirmed where his heart is—and has always been.

Year 6 in New York for Odell

Beckham Jr. is back where it all started for him in the NFL. Seven years after the Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns, Odell is back in Big Blue. Not many expected him to even make the 53-man roster.

However, Calvin Austin’s season-ending injury opened the door for Beckham Jr., and he didn’t disappoint. As a result, Beckham Jr. made the five-man wide receiver group, which will add Braxton Berrios, who was released but will be back for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

So far in his Giants career, Odell has played 59 games across five years (2014-2018). Beckham Jr. has caught 390 passes for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Odell’s milestone watcher for 2026

Beckham Jr. can set incredible marks in both his Giants career and entire NFL career during the 2026 season. Barring injury, Odell will reach 8,000 receiving yards in his professional career, as well as 5,500 yards with the G-Men, perhaps even 6,000.

Beckham Jr. is one receiving touchdown away from reaching the 60-touchdown mark in his career. It feels pretty much like a done deal, but Odell hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Dec. 10, 2023. Back then, he was playing for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens.

Beckham had to compete with plenty of names and he had an uphill battle. After all, he hasn’t played a snap of professional football since 2024, excluding this year’s preseason.

Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, OBJ is ecstatic. “I am excited. I found out when I was walking off the field. Coach said congratulations and he said that I worked hard. I told him I will give him everything I got. He said ‘let’s go do it.’

“After that I went to the locker room and I just dapped up my teammates. Jameis (Winston) definitely gave love and so did Jaxson (Dart). Everybody gave me love. Now I just got to go get it. I have one more gear to go; one more gear in me. I came to New York to give my all, and that’s what they’re going to get out of me. To the city, to the fans, I love you,” Beckham said.

OBJ will finally have a heartfelt reunion

It hasn’t been an easy road back to the Giants for Odell Beckham Jr. After his last game in 2024 with the Dolphins, he focused on his well-being, but age and injuries will come fast at you. OBJ even admitted retirement was an option for him. Hence, seeing him come back to the team that drafted him way back in 2014 is a full circle moment for him.

Will OBJ play a key role on the Giants?

Once upon a time one of the most unguardable receivers in the NFL, OBJ is now a role player. However, he is a premium role player with plenty of ability. In fact, he should be in the WR3 spot on the depth chart for the Giants, and he might actually be one of the best third options in the league.

According to multiple reports throughout the offseason, OBJ is still getting plenty of separation and he has famously secure hands. Hence, he will serve as a top-tier end-of-progression target for Jaxson Dart.

After spending the 2025 season out of the NFL, Beckham returned to the organization where he became a superstar and entered training camp without any guarantee that he would make the final roster.

Harbaugh made it clear that Beckham would have to earn his opportunity. The veteran wide receiver ultimately did exactly that, staying healthy throughout the summer and showing that he could still create separation and make plays.

When will Odell Beckham Jr. return with the Giants?

Odell Beckham’s highly anticipated return is expected to come on September 13, when the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in a Sunday Night Football matchup at MetLife Stadium. That would give Beckham a spectacular stage for his first regular-season appearance with the Giants since his previous stint with the organization.

The primetime setting makes the moment even more significant. Beckham will return to the stadium where he established himself as one of the NFL’s biggest stars, now attempting to begin another chapter of his career.

How did Odell Beckham Jr. make the Giants roster?

Beckham entered the summer facing legitimate competition for a roster spot. Harbaugh repeatedly emphasized that the veteran would have to prove he could still contribute. Beckham responded by remaining available throughout training camp and showing flashes of the explosiveness that made him so dangerous earlier in his career.

After an entire season away from football, he did not miss a practice during the summer and consistently demonstrated that he could still separate from defenders.

Why is Beckham important to the Giants?

Beckham’s roster spot became even more valuable after Calvin Austin III suffered a season-ending injury. At the same time, Malik Nabers’ status for Week 1 remains uncertain after his lengthy recovery from a serious knee injury.

That leaves the Giants with a greater need for experienced depth at wide receiver, and Beckham could potentially play an important role alongside Nabers, Darnell Mooney, Darius Slayton, Malachi Fields and probably Braxton Berrios.

For Beckham, however, simply making the roster is already a major accomplishment. He spent the offseason trying to prove that he still belonged in the NFL. Now he has done it.

And his return could come on one of the biggest stages possible: Sunday Night Football, against the Cowboys, at MetLife Stadium. The comeback is no longer a possibility. It has a date.

Beckham Jr. has been rocking No. 3 for some time now. It was his jersey number in college at LSU, and aside from his time with the Giants and Browns, he wore the single digit throughout his NFL career. Through training camp and the preseason, Beckham Jr. has stuck with No. 3, too. If he’s a little superstitious, he may not want to change numbers now.

However, the speculation is already loud. If there’s a number OBJ is linked to in New York, it’s No. 13. That hadn’t been up for grabs hitherto. But the Giants have now made the jersey number available, leading to questions over whether Beckham Jr. will return to his No. 13 era or stay put.

“Odell Beckham made the team,” Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post Sports wrote on his X account. “Will he be in No. 13 at tomorrow’s practice?”

NY Giants open path to No. 13

In one of the latest roster moves to trim the squad down to 53 players, the New York Giants have waived wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, as reported by Jordan Schultz. Though the move was expected, it serves as confirmation that Beckham Jr. could take the vacated No. 13 jersey, which Hyatt donned. The number is up for grabs, but it remains to be seen if Odell will want to snatch it. Perhaps he feels better wearing No. 3.

His return to the Big Apple is deeply rooted in nostalgia and a sense of righting his wrongs in the City That Never Sleeps, but he may not want to make everything look exactly the way it did years ago. As magical as the journey was, Beckham Jr.’s first stint with the G-Men ended with a trade to Cleveland, and there’s reason to believe OBJ is hoping for a much different ending this time around.

Beckham Jr. had success wearing No. 13, but he won a Super Bowl with No. 3 on the front and back of his jersey. In 2026, it’s clear what a 33-year-old Beckham Jr. is after. Moreover, changing his jersey number could come at a price.

Players can’t simply change jersey numbers

For NFL players changing their numbers midway through a season, they usually must buy out the entire inventory of existing jerseys with their old number. Needless to say, many fans in New York have already purchased their No. 3 Beckham Jr. jersey, even before his roster spot was confirmed.

For many others, however, a return to his old number would be great, as they could bring their old Odell jerseys out of the closet from his first stint in town. Either way, regardless of whether they’re wearing OBJ’s No. 3 or No. 13 jersey, fans will be making their way to MetLife Stadium all season long to see a team legend back on the gridiron.

Beckham returned to the Giants this summer after spending the 2025 season out of the NFL. With John Harbaugh demanding that the veteran earn his place on the team, Beckham responded with a strong training camp and preseason.

Now, after proving that he can stay healthy, create separation and still make plays, the veteran receiver has another opportunity to continue his NFL career where it all began.

Did Odell Beckham Jr. make the Giants roster?

Yes. Odell Beckham Jr. is making the Giants’ 53-man roster, as the team confirmed on Sunday. The 33-year-old is entering the 2026 NFL season with the team that drafted him with the 12th overall pick in 2014.

Harbaugh made it clear that Beckham would not receive preferential treatment simply because of his history with the organization. The veteran had to prove that he could still contribute, and he ultimately did enough to convince the new Giants head coach.

Why did Odell Beckham Jr. make the Giants roster?

Beckham’s ability to consistently create separation was one of the biggest positives of his preseason. The veteran showed flashes of the explosiveness that made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers earlier in his career. Against the Jets, he came close to making a spectacular deep reception and finished the game with three catches for 53 yards, further strengthening his case.

But perhaps even more important was his availability. After spending an entire year away from the NFL, Beckham did not miss a practice during the summer. That allowed him to build confidence with the coaching staff and demonstrate that his body could handle the demands of returning to the league. That was particularly important for Harbaugh, who wanted Beckham to earn his opportunity rather than simply receive it because of his name.

Calvin Austin injury helped Odell Beckham Jr.

The Giants’ wide receiver situation also changed dramatically during the preseason. Calvin Austin III suffered a season-ending injury, creating an additional need for depth at the position and potentially opening a path for Beckham to remain on the roster.

The Giants also had to evaluate Braxton Berrios and Darnell Mooney, among others, while Malik Nabers’ availability for Week 1 remained uncertain. That made Beckham’s ability to contribute even more valuable. Instead of simply being a veteran comeback story, Beckham could now become an important piece of the Giants’ receiving corps.

What’s NY Giants’ WR depth chart for 2026?

The Giants’ wide receiver room for Week 1 will feature Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants are going to keep 5 WRs on the roster but can later activate the option to bring back Braxton Berrios before Week 1.

The group gives Jaxson Dart a mix of explosiveness, experience and versatility, although Nabers’ availability remains one of the biggest questions heading into the regular season.

Beckham’s return becomes even more valuable following Calvin Austin III’s season-ending injury, potentially giving the veteran a meaningful role early in the year.

What’s next for Odell Beckham Jr.?

Beckham’s return to the Giants is now official, but his comeback story is just beginning. The veteran will have an opportunity to play alongside Jaxson Dart and contribute to an offense that is entering a new era under Harbaugh.

For Beckham, making the roster represents the culmination of months of work after a difficult period away from football. Harbaugh challenged him to earn his spot. Odell did exactly that.

John Harbaugh has repeatedly praised Beckham during training camp and the preseason, even saying that he has done enough to make an NFL roster. Beckham also finished the preseason with encouraging moments, strengthening his case to remain in New York.

But Beckham’s latest comments went beyond the roster battle. The veteran opened up about the difficult period of his life and the mental challenges he faced while trying to determine whether he still wanted to continue playing football.

Odell Beckham Jr. thought about retirement

Odell Beckham Jr. made it clear that he remains grateful simply for having the opportunity to compete again, while acknowledging how difficult the previous few years have been.

“Super grateful for the opportunity. 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, plays to be made. Right now, I’m just truly grateful for that opportunity and that experience. It was a tough couple of years taking a step back and deciding to go forward with life. ‘Are you done?’ The mental battles. Just persevere and overcome adversity.”

The comments provide an honest look at Beckham’s mindset after several difficult seasons and a period in which his NFL future was far from certain. His reference to the “mental battles” is particularly revealing.

Beckham has gone through injuries, uncertainty and changes throughout his career, but he now appears determined to continue playing as long as he believes he can still make an impact.

Can Odell Beckham Jr. make the NY Giants roster?

Odell Beckham Jr. appears to have a legitimate opportunity to make the Giants’ final roster. Harbaugh has already said the veteran has done enough to make an NFL roster, while also praising his improvement throughout training camp.

His performance against the Jets provided another positive evaluation before the deadline. The Giants’ situation at wide receiver could also work in Beckham’s favor.

Calvin Austin III’s season-ending injury created a major need at the position, while Malik Nabers’ availability for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys remains uncertain following his lengthy recovery from a serious knee injury. That could make Beckham’s experience particularly valuable.

The Giants also have other receivers competing for roster spots, including Braxton Berrios and Darnell Mooney. However, Beckham’s recent performances and Harbaugh’s comments have put him in a much stronger position than he appeared to be earlier in the offseason.

After returning to the organization where he became one of the league’s biggest stars, Beckham has spent the offseason competing for a roster spot and trying to prove that he can still contribute at the highest level.

John Harbaugh has already praised Beckham’s performance and said he has done enough to make an NFL roster. Now, Beckham has revealed just how much it would mean to him if the Giants ultimately give him another opportunity.

What would making the Giants roster mean to Odell Beckham Jr.?

Odell Beckham Jr. delivered an emotional answer when asked what making the Giants roster would mean to him, explaining that his motivation goes far beyond football.

“Everything. Seeing my son at the game, yelling, just looking at me, I just want to show him. I want to lead the way. I want to be a good example for him. A good man. I’ve grown so much. It would mean everything to me if I made it.”

Making the Giants roster would allow him to continue his NFL career, but it would also give him an opportunity to show his son what perseverance looks like. An extraordinary comeback.

Beckham has experienced virtually every extreme during his NFL career. He went from becoming one of the league’s biggest stars in New York to dealing with injuries and uncertainty about his future. Now, he is once again fighting for a place on the Giants’ roster.

With the roster deadline approaching, every snap mattered for the veteran wide receiver. Beckham entered the game amid intense competition for the final spots in the Giants’ wide receiver room.

However, John Harbaugh had already offered a strong endorsement of Beckham before the game, saying the veteran had done enough to make an NFL roster. Now, after watching him against the Jets, Harbaugh once again highlighted several positive aspects of Beckham’s performance.

What did John Harbaugh say about Odell Beckham Jr.?

John Harbaugh was asked about Beckham’s performance after the preseason finale against the Jets and praised the veteran receiver for creating opportunities in the passing game.

“I thought he played well. Got open. You know, just a fingernail away from that completion, and maybe a step away from a touchdown. So, he looked good out there.”

The Giants head coach was referring in particular to a play early in the second quarter when Beckham nearly came down with a reception of more than 50 yards.

Jameis Winston’s throw was slightly too far in front of Beckham, but the receiver showed the explosiveness and separation that made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers during his prime.

Considering Beckham’s ability to make difficult catches, it was a play that left many wondering whether he could have completed the reception had the ball been placed slightly better. Even without the catch, however, the play demonstrated that Beckham can still create separation downfield.

Did Odell Beckham Jr. hurt his roster chances?

Odell Beckham Jr. also had a negative moment during the game. The veteran receiver slipped on one play, and the mistake contributed to an interception for Winston.

That type of error is obviously something the Giants would prefer to avoid, particularly from a player fighting for one of the final roster spots. Still, Harbaugh’s overall assessment was clearly positive.

The head coach focused on Beckham’s ability to get open and make plays rather than allowing one mistake to define his performance. That is important because Beckham’s roster battle is not taking place in isolation.

The Giants have several receivers competing for limited spots, with Braxton Berrios and Darnell Mooney among the players whose futures have also generated discussion. The season-ending injury to Calvin Austin III has also changed the equation, potentially opening another path for Beckham to remain in New York.

Per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Slayton is on the bubble. Schwartz also stated Slayton “clearly was not moving the same following surgery to repair a sports hernia.” This is a big indictment.

John Harbaugh recently confirmed if Odell Beckham Jr. has earned a roster spot on the Giants. Well that report is now stronger due to the doubts over Darius Slayton. OBJ could actually take Slayton’s role.

This is shocking due to one factor

At first, Slayton was pretty much a lock to make the roster. However, what seemed to protect Slayton’s place on the Giants was that he is entering the second year of a three-year, $36 million contract. Therefore, parting ways with the wideout would be a blow against the Giants’ salary cap.

In the last preseason game, he caught 4/6 targets for 58 yards, leading the team in receiving yards during a 26-3 win. However, he stayed longer on the field, and that is bad news as all “locked in” players were pulled out way before.

Slayton is coming off a down year

Darius Slayton had his second worst year in the NFL. Barring the 2021 season where he only started five games, 2025 was Slayton’s lowest output with just 538 yards and a career-low one touchdown.

Add that to the fact that he is older and recovering from a hernia surgery, and Slayton’s career might have seen better days. John Harbaugh brings a new regime and that might cause the longest-tenured Giants player on the roster to seek pastures new.

“We’re working through that right now. We have a pretty good idea, but we’re not ready to make that announcement,” Harbaugh recently told the press. The decision is getting closer, and it will ultimately determine which players will represent the G-Men starting in Week 1.

Beckham Jr. stepped up following Calvin Austin’s injury, and many believe his future could be in blue next season. Now, it remains to be seen what final decision the coaching staff will make based on the team’s needs and overall strategy.

OBJ’s final preseason appearance

Odell Beckham Jr. made a strong final case to lock down his spot on the 53-man roster in the Giants’ 23-6 preseason finale win over the New York Jets. Suiting up for his nostalgic reunion in New York, the 33-year-old veteran showed he still has explosive juice left in the tank, hauling in 3 of his 6 targets for 53 yards (17.7 yards per reception).

OBJ highlighted his night with a crisp 23-yard grab that set up a Giants touchdown inside the 10-yard line, and he nearly blew the game open when he burned the Jets’ secondary deep, only for Jameis Winston to barely overthrow what would have been a 70-yard touchdown strike.

The Giants’ receiving corps ahead of the cutdown

While names like Malachi Fields and Malik Nabers appear to have their spots secured, there are still several players whose futures remain uncertain. Here is how the Giants’ receiving corps is shaping up ahead of the final 53-man roster cutdown.

Beckham’s response was measured. Rather than assuming his place on the team was guaranteed, the veteran receiver emphasized that the final decision remains out of his hands while reflecting on what his return to the Giants has meant to him.

The timing could hardly be better for Beckham. He finished the preseason finale with three catches for 53 yards, giving the Giants another positive performance to evaluate as they make their final roster decisions.

Odell Beckham Jr. talks about roster spot with NY Giants

When Odell Beckham Jr. was told about John Harbaugh’s assessment that he had done enough to make an NFL roster, the veteran wide receiver made it clear how much those words meant to him.

“It’s great to hear. It means a lot to me. I tried and gave my best. It feels great to be back in that stadium. It’s just so many good times, hard times, things that made me a man. I’m pleased with what I did, but, I’m always looking for more.”

The response perfectly captured Beckham’s mindset throughout his comeback attempt. He did not treat Harbaugh’s comments as a guarantee. Instead, Beckham continued to emphasize the opportunity he received and the effort he put into making the most of it.

That approach has been evident throughout training camp. Beckham reportedly did not miss a practice and continued competing despite entering camp with legitimate questions about whether he would make the roster.

Has Odell Beckham Jr. earned a Giants roster spot?

Everything now points toward Beckham having a strong chance of remaining with the Giants, even though Harbaugh has not officially announced his 53-man roster.

Harbaugh said Beckham had played well and improved as camp progressed, while also acknowledging that he did enough to make an NFL roster. That represents a significant endorsement from the Giants’ head coach.

The situation has also changed considerably because of Calvin Austin III’s season-ending injury. Austin’s absence creates another need in the receiver room, while Malik Nabers’ recovery from his knee injury remains something the Giants are carefully managing.

That combination could make Beckham’s experience and ability to contribute particularly valuable. For Beckham, however, the goal is bigger than simply making the roster.

Harbaugh may not have officially announced Beckham’s roster status yet, but his words—and Beckham’s response—suggest the comeback story is very close to getting another chapter.