NFL

Vikings Sign Odell Beckham Jr. to Practice Squad in Reunion With Kevin O'Connell

October 7, 2026 · By Marcus · 4 min read

Eight days after the Giants cut him, OBJ lands with the undefeated Vikings and the coach who knows exactly what he can still do.

Odell Beckham Jr. is getting another chance, and it is coming from a familiar face.

The Minnesota Vikings signed the veteran wide receiver to their practice squad on Wednesday, the team announced. NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the move, which Adam Schefter confirmed. Beckham will wear No. 9, the jersey vacated when Minnesota traded J.J. McCarthy to the Giants on Sept. 28.

The headline here is the reunion. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2021, when Beckham caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games for Los Angeles, then added 21 catches for 288 yards and two scores in the playoffs before tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. O'Connell has seen the best version of OBJ up close, and he clearly believes there is still something in the tank.

Why Minnesota, why now

The Vikings are 4-0, one of four remaining undefeated teams, but their passing offense ranks last in the league. Justin Jefferson missed Sunday's win over Miami with an ankle sprain and his status for this week's trip to New Orleans is uncertain. Behind Jefferson, the receiving corps is Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and Tai Felton. That is a group that needs a veteran, even a 33-year-old one.

There is also a real on-field fit. Beckham's best trait at this stage is freelancing, finding soft spots when plays break down. That pairs naturally with Kyler Murray, who made a career in Arizona improvising outside structure. In three- and four-receiver sets, OBJ could give Murray a trusted outlet who speaks the same backyard-football language.

The Giants chapter closed fast

Beckham's second stint with the Giants lasted three games and produced zero catches on one target across 20 offensive snaps. New York released him on Sept. 29. He did not go quietly, writing on Instagram that he "came in HUMBLY, took [the] vet min then EARNED my spot" (via the New York Post).

The numbers tell the story of the decline. Beckham has not caught 40 passes in a season since 2021. He sat out 2025 entirely, caught nine passes for the Dolphins in 2024, and his last truly productive season was 2019 in Cleveland. The three-time Pro Bowler who topped 1,300 yards in each of his first three seasons is a memory. What Minnesota is betting on is the 2021 Rams version: a situational weapon who can still win a handful of snaps a game.

Betting angle

This signing does not move any lines by itself. Practice squad receivers do not swing Super Bowl futures. But it is a tell about how Minnesota views its own offense. A 4-0 team does not bring in a 33-year-old OBJ unless the coaching staff is worried about the passing game, and the market should take the hint: the Vikings' record is outpacing their offensive efficiency. If Jefferson misses more time, Minnesota's team totals and first-half lines deserve a second look. The defense and the record are real. The passing attack is not, and the front office just told you so.

The Vikings visit the Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, something of a homecoming for Beckham and Jefferson, both LSU products.