“Shoot, I’ve learned a lot. Me and Odell — like I said, Zay Likely’s locker is right next to mine, Odell’s is on the other side, right next (to me) on the other side. So, every day, I go to him and I ask him questions. He asks me stuff too, like what I’m seeing about him. He’s definitely been a big help,” Hood told reporters.

The G-Men veterans appear to be giving him a valuable crash course on how cornerbacks play in the NFL compared to college football. “Teaching me different savviness and different things that I’m doing that they’re trying to exploit, or they’re seeing that I can be better at. They’ve definitely been a big help in my development, and I’m enjoying getting to know those guys and being out here.

“Especially being that 12-year-old kid, watching Odell on Monday night catch that one hand. Him having the locker right next to mine is surreal. It’s definitely been really fun and incredible being next to that guy.”

OBJ’s important progress

Odell Beckham Jr.’s arrival was a pleasant surprise for John Harbaugh’s team, and he is gradually showing why he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. Giants insider Art Stapleton provided an interesting assessment of the wide receiver during 2026 training camp.

“Got better and better as the days went on. Worked well with mostly Jaxson Dart and some with Jameis Winston. Positioned well to keep ascending when NYG return to NJ,” he stated. “Flashbacks for Odell 2.0. Legit.”

Hood seeks to make an impact

Drafted 37th overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Colton Hood entered Giants training camp looking to forge an immediate, primary role in the secondary. While Greg Newsome II currently sits as a projected top outside corner alongside Paulson Adebo, Hood’s raw athletic traits, ball skills, and rapid development present a compelling push for extended snaps.

As he competes in a restructured defensive scheme under new head coach John Harbaugh, Hood’s daily growth in training camp positions him to challenge the veterans and earn a high-leverage rotational—or eventual starting—spot on the Giants’ defense.

Experience in East Rutherford

The Giants rely on a core group of seasoned NFL veterans to establish leadership and set the culture. Headlining the roster’s most experienced personnel are 12-year defensive lineman Shelby Harris, 11-year tight end Chris Manhertz, and veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., alongside 10-year offensive guard Jermaine Eluemunor and quarterback Brandon Allen.

Additional battle-tested leaders onboard for Harbaugh’s first year include defensive tackle D.J. Reader, versatile fullback Patrick Ricard, and quarterback Jameis Winston, providing a wealth of professional experience across both sides of the ball.

Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Fields is impressing heavily. and “has made an early claim for the No. 2 receiver spot” in camp. This means that he would be ahead of veteran Odell Beckham Jr in the pecking order.

Also, tight end Isaiah Likely has risen as Jaxson Dart’s safety net. Hence, the Giants are finding their footing on offense. The passing offense is getting the groove and that is great for a team in the middle of a rebuild.

Malachi Fields has the edge over Odell Beckham Jr.

Malachi Fields has elite size and catch radius. He routinely wins 50/50 vertical balls and functions as a classic boundary “X” receiver. Fields has plenty of physicality after the catch, where he uses his massive frame and play strength to break initial tackles and grind out extra yardage on short routes.

Also, given his background as a quarterback, he has great zone awareness, understanding of leverage, and ability to work back to throws. So, Fields could be the wideout that gets most looks just behind Malik Nabers.

Giants WR depth chart by order of priority

The order of priority for the Giants wideouts could be differently as originally Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. were supposed to have more relevance but Fields is leapfrogging them.

1. Malik Nabers
2. Malachi Fields
3. Darnell Mooney II
4. Darius Slayton
5. Calvin Austin III
6. JuJu Smith-Schuster
7. Isaiah Hodgins
8. Braxton Berrios
9. Jalin Hyatt

After returning to the franchise where his NFL career began, Beckham knows nothing is guaranteed. The veteran receiver is competing for one of the final roster spots, making every practice critical to his future with the Giants.

According to ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan, Beckham has responded with some of his best performances of camp. “Second strong day for Odell Beckham Jr. He had four catches in team drills. Made some tough grabs. He’s taken advantage of the opportunities the past couple days. It’s all important for Beckham. He’s on the roster bubble.”

Odell Beckham Jr. embraces the competition with Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. made it clear that he welcomes the pressure of competing for a roster spot. “I kinda like it (the competition). I want to step up to the bigger the moment. So, I definitely put pressure on myself to make plays.”

Odell Beckham isn’t afraid of being cut by NY Giants

Beckham also revisited a conversation he previously shared with head coach John Harbaugh, who reportedly warned him that the organization did not want to sign him only to release him before the season.

For Beckham, however, that possibility is simply part of the challenge. “I can live with me getting up, coming here giving my best effort, and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. I couldn’t live with me feeling like I gave up on myself.”

Those comments reflect Beckham’s mindset throughout training camp as he attempts to complete one of the most compelling comeback stories of the 2026 NFL season.

Even if the yards and catches aren’t there yet, Beckham Jr. is getting open, and he’s now being given the opportunity to compete with the Giants‘ starters. Beckham hopes this is the first of many promotions, including being named to the 53-man roster, in his second stint in East Rutherford. In West Virginia, so far, so good. But there’s still a long road to the 2026 NFL season.

“[Beckham Jr.] worked with the starting rotation of Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin,” Connor Hughes of SNY reported about New York’s Tuesday practice. “He’s been getting open in camp. Just not getting thrown the ball. Clearly coaches rewarding that. Odell caught two (of four targets) on Tuesday.”

The G-Men will still need to see more from Odell—and from the entire offense—as recent practices have reportedly been “sloppy,” raising concerns for Harbaugh to address. For the time being, the Giants head coach remains calm despite the offensive struggles. However, that patience will only last so long if Matt Nagy’s unit can’t get its act together.

An asterisk on Odell’s promotion

While the promotion to the starting wide receiver trio is noteworthy, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Not only did Harbaugh make little of it by saying it was part of a player rotation, but Malik Nabers also didn’t participate in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills or situational drives. Had he done so, there’s reason to believe Beckham Jr. would have been the odd man out.

Darius Slayton is also sidelined, meaning there’s another player who could be ahead of Odell on the depth chart. A fully healthy receiving corps would likely feature Nabers and Slayton on the outside, with Mooney or Austin making the most sense in the slot. Likely—whom the Giants see as Dart’s safety net in 2026—could also line up in the slot, with Theo Johnson serving as the in-line tight end.

Beckham Jr. making progress

Regardless, Beckham Jr. has to play the hand he’s dealt. If players are out or limited by injuries, he has to take advantage of those opportunities to prove himself. So far, he’s doing just that and has already taken a big step in the right direction.

According to Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York (SNY), the Giants are determined to utilize Likely as the No. 2 receiving option behind only Malik Nabers throughout the 2026 NFL campaign. In truth, the Giants deal with a concerning sign behind Nabers. The G-Men are in a complex spot with no proven options and too many uncertainties surrounding the rest of the wide receiver room.

Nabers is reportedly expected to play, even if it’s in a limited capacity, and New York appears to be trending toward using Likely as a slot receiver rather than a traditional tight end. That, in turn, means Theo Johnson could be the primary tight end while leaving only one wide receiver spot open in the starting lineup amid an intense training camp competition.

Likely takes up potential role for Odell and other WRs

A player like Beckham Jr. has no certainty surrounding his future, and even if he makes the 53-man roster, it’s unclear how often he will see the field. Nabers, as long as he’s healthy, is the clear-cut No. 1 pass-catcher, and Likely appears to be running away with the No. 2 role. It may be little surprise, though.

“Isaiah Likely is effectively going to be the Giants’ slot receiver this season. He played in the slot more than he did in-line tight end last season,” Anthony Rivardo of Empire Sports Media stated on X. Considering Likely will play for the same coach he did last season, his role in the slot may be no secret after all.

Beckham Jr and Likely’s history with Harbaugh

Like Beckham Jr., Harbaugh knows Likely from his time with the Ravens. However, Harbaugh coached Likely for four seasons, while Beckham Jr. was there for only one—and that was three years ago. Likely’s rise, while a blessing for the Giants’ passing game, also adds another layer to the wide receiver competition in camp.

The fact that several wide receivers have failed to stand out in West Virginia while Likely has stolen the show isn’t a particularly encouraging sign once the coaching staff takes a closer look.

Beckham Jr and Likely may not play much together

With Beckham Jr.’s age, there are concerns about where he fits best on the field. Some could argue he’d be a better option in the slot, but Likely being considered for that role only adds to the speculation.

If Likely lines up in the slot for most of the snaps, that could leave Beckham Jr. off the field. And if Odell does play, Likely would either have to line up in-line or watch from the sidelines.

Unless the Giants use a formation with two slot receivers, however, the opportunities for Odell and Isaiah to be on the field together will likely be sporadic.

Essentially, it all comes down to Beckham Jr. and his skills. Obviously, Giants fans will actively push for him to make the cut, but John Harbaugh and his staff will decide on what’s best for the organization. Known around the NFL for his grueling training camp workloads, the Super Bowl-winning head coach will have no special treatment for Odell—despite their good relationship.

“There are no assurances for [Beckham Jr]. He’ll need to produce consistently during a grueling camp,” The Athletic’s Dan Duggan stated on his X account ahead of training camp. “That won’t be easy at 33 after a long layoff.”

Beckham Jr. set his sights on Super Bowl

While his place on New York’s active roster isn’t assured, Beckham Jr. is confident. Not just that he will be among the 53-man squad to start the season, but that he will help the Giants go on a deep run. Just how deep? Well, Odell eyes postseason depths the G-Men haven’t reached since 2012—back when OBJ was only a sophomore at LSU.

“Being able to bring a Super Bowl back to New York,” Beckham Jr. said in dialogue with the New York Post. “I just want to win one for the Giants more than anything. I’m here to give it my all, give it my heart, during my last couple of years. It’s just my home. There’s no place better than New York.”

Whether Odell’s comments tilt the scale or play no role whatsoever, Beckham will have to back up his words on the field and earn his spot in the wide receiver room.

Beckham Jr. up for steep climb

The Giants have no shortage of options heading into training camp, but only six roster spots at the position. Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Malachi Fields, and Darnell Mooney appear to be locks, leaving two spots up for grabs. One could go to a wide receiver with special teams value, an area where Beckham, at this stage of his career, is well behind players such as Braxton Berrios and Calvin Austin III.

All things considered, Beckham Jr. appears to be battling for the final active wide receiver spot, competing with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Isaiah Hodgins, Jalin Hyatt, and the aforementioned Berrios and Austin.

NY Giants face tough call

If it came down to a fan vote, Beckham Jr. would win by a landslide. But it doesn’t, and Harbaugh won’t hesitate to make a tough—but honest—decision. Still, cutting Beckham Jr. would be a rough way to begin his tenure in New York. Even a coach like him may get cold feet.

Perhaps the wisest decision is also the most politically convenient, even if it isn’t necessarily the best one from a pure football standpoint. Harbaugh should know by now that sometimes the best play is to simply take the checkdown. Beckham’s situation may be one of the toughest calls Harbaugh will have to make, but it is far from the only one.

Despite the individual success, Beckham’s time with the Giants ended without the team reaching the heights many expected. Years later, as he prepares for a second opportunity in New York, the veteran receiver was asked whether he has any regrets about how things unfolded.

Beckham’s answer revealed a player who has made peace with the past while still acknowledging that some goals were left unfulfilled. “As far as regrets, I’m kind of one of those people who, for better or for worse, is like never regretting anything because at one point in time it was exactly what you wanted. So, I don’t hang my hat on it. I learned from it.”

Does Odell Beckham Jr. regret his first Giants tenure?

While Odell Beckham Jr. said he generally avoids dwelling on regrets, he admitted there is one aspect of his first New York Giants chapter that still bothers him.

“If I regret anything, it would be not winning here and not being the guy that I know that I could have been and allowing things to get in the way of that. So, other than that, I wish that things could have went differently, but they went exactly how they were supposed to. Maybe if I would have stayed here, something worse could have happened. I take for what it is. I want to make the most of the opportunity now.”

Now, back in New York, Beckham has a chance to write one final chapter with the team that drafted him. And if there is one regret he hopes to erase, it is leaving the Giants without helping deliver the success he always believed was possible.

At 33 years old, Beckham understands the reality of where he stands in his career. Injuries and the passage of time have changed the circumstances surrounding him, but the former Pro Bowler remains determined to prove he can still make an impact at the highest level.

That mindset was evident when Beckham recently reflected on what this latest chapter with the Giants means to him and how he is approaching the uncertainty surrounding his NFL future.

Is Odell Beckham Jr. retiring with Giants after 2026 season?

Odell Beckham Jr. made it clear that he is not looking too far ahead. “It’s just a different game. I’m still ready. I look at it like this. God is giving me one more opportunity to play and whatever I do with that is that. I’m not saying that this is my only year and I’m not saying that I got five more for you. I’m just looking at it like this is my opportunity now. We’ll see where it goes from there.”

The veteran receiver acknowledged that he does not know how many seasons remain in his career. Rather than focusing on retirement or long-term plans, Beckham is concentrating on making the most of the opportunity in front of him.

For now, though, Beckham is embracing the challenge. Whether this turns out to be his final NFL season or the beginning of an unexpected late-career resurgence, the former Giants star is determined to make the most of what he views as another chance to leave his mark on the league.

The Giants are in a new era with Dart expected to become the face of the franchise. As a result, every endorsement from respected veterans carries weight, especially when it comes from a player who has spent more than a decade in the NFL.

“He’s very good. I watched him last year. He likes to have fun. He enjoys the game of football and that’s something great to see from a young quarterback. He’s got a great arm on him. He’s got a lot of swag.”

Odell Beckham Jr. jokes about his connection with Jaxson Dart

Although Beckham praised Dart’s talent and personality, he admitted that their relationship is still in its early stages. The veteran wide receiver even joked that most of their connection comes from their college football backgrounds.

Beckham starred at LSU before becoming an NFL star, while Dart made his name at Ole Miss. That history led to a humorous response when Beckham was asked about his bond with the Giants quarterback. “The only connection we really have is LSU used to beat the hell out of Ole Miss. So, that’s about it.”

The lighthearted comment reflects what appears to be a positive dynamic between the veteran receiver and the young quarterback. As the Giants continue preparing for the 2026 season, Beckham’s praise will only add to the excitement surrounding Dart and the organization’s hopes that he can become the franchise quarterback they’ve been searching for.

The former Pro Bowler recently opened up about what would constitute the perfect outcome for his second chapter in New York. Unsurprisingly, his answer had little to do with individual statistics and everything to do with team success.

“I think play well and win the Super Bowl. That’s the best case. That’s what you want to do. All I ever wanted to do for this place was win. I never wanted to leave here. I hate losing. That’s all I want to do now. We all want to win that Super Bowl.”

Will Odell Beckham Jr. play for Giants in 2026?

Odell Beckham Jr. will play for the Giants in 2026, but there is an important caveat. Beckham still needs to earn his place on the roster, and there are no guarantees that head coach John Harbaugh will keep him if younger or more productive options emerge during training camp.

The Giants suddenly have plenty of competition at wide receiver. Malik Nabers is working his way back from injury, Malachi Fields arrives as a promising rookie, and veterans such as Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Braxton Berrios, and JuJu Smith-Schuster are also fighting for targets and roster spots.

Beckham understands the challenge ahead, but his focus remains unchanged. Whether he ultimately secures a roster spot or not, OBJ has made one thing clear: his objective is helping the Giants chase a Super Bowl title. “That’s the goal, but it takes a lot to do that. I’ve been there before. I’m just trying to be whatever I can for this team and be the best version of myself.”

“I’m feeling good. I’ve just been working at home. Baltimore for me was tough because it was like right after the surgery and then kind of playing the whole year knowing you needed to do like a little something but you don’t have the time. It was just difficult.”

Beckham joined the Ravens after suffering a torn ACL during the Super Bowl while playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Although he managed to return to the field, he admitted that playing so soon after surgery created significant challenges throughout during that season.

Odell Beckham’s knee injury is not a concern with NY Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. acknowledged that a lot happened during his time with the Ravens and that his current situation in New York feels completely different. Rather than focusing on recovery, he is now focused on sharpening the finer details of his game.

The veteran says his movement and explosiveness have improved significantly, giving him confidence that he can still contribute at a high level despite the injuries he has endured throughout his career.

“I’m fast. I’m moving well. It’s just now about the repetition. Building up your football endurance. Back to the football IQ, knowing your spatial awareness, knowing where people are at. Things that will come back, but it takes a little practice.”