Odell Beckham Jr.’s (Getty Images)
If he eventually earns a permanent place on the 53-man roster, his compensation could increase significantly compared with practice-squad pay. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines The irony is that Beckham has already made more than $100 million during his NFL career. From a $90 million extension to a $1.3 million Giants deal and now a Vikings practice-squad opportunity, Beckham’s contract journey shows just how quickly an NFL star’s earning power can change. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule .
Because this isn’t simply another million-dollar NFL contract for Beckham, that distinction matters. The exact value of Beckham’s Vikings practice-squad contract has not been publicly reported. It is effectively a chance to earn his way back into a bigger role. The financial upside for Beckham comes if he can turn the opportunity into a roster spot. If Minnesota elevates him to the active roster, Beckham would receive the applicable active-roster salary for the games in which he is elevated. That makes the Vikings move a low-risk bet for Minnesota and potentially a high-value audition for Beckham. If OBJ can show that he can still contribute alongside an established group of offensive weapons, he could potentially improve his leverage for his next NFL contract. His latest move isn’t about reaching that financial milestone. It is about proving that there is still enough football left in him to command meaningful money in an NFL market that no longer values him anywhere near the way it did during his Giants heyday. Now, Minnesota gives him a chance to change that trajectory again. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
In 2018, the Giants rewarded their superstar receiver with a five-year, $90 million extension that included more than $40 million in guarantees. The deal was worth an average of $18 million per year and made Beckham one of the highest-paid receivers in football. Fast-forward to 2026, and his contract situation has changed dramatically. Beckham’s NFL earnings have surpassed $100 million, according to Over The Cap, but the size of his recent contracts has steadily dropped as injuries and inconsistent production have affected his market. Beckham’s 2023 contract with the Baltimore Ravens was worth $15 million, giving him a significant payday after returning from his ACL injury. Beckham signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. By 2026, he was back with the Giants on a one-year contract worth $1.3 million. Beckham is joining the Vikings’ practice squad rather than immediately taking a spot on the 53-man roster.
The Vikings have signed Beckham to their practice squad, according to Jordan Schultz. The Giants ultimately released him after three games. Odell Beckham Jr. is getting another shot in the NFL, but his latest move to Minnesota looks very different from the days when he was one of the league’s highest-paid wide receivers. The move puts the veteran wideout alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in Minnesota, giving OBJ another opportunity to prove he still has something left in the tank. But financially, the move tells a much bigger story about Beckham’s changing value around the NFL. There was a time when Beckham was sitting at the top of the NFL’s wide receiver market. His next major deal was considerably smaller. That Giants deal was not fully guaranteed, meaning Beckham had far less financial security than he enjoyed during the peak of his career. Minnesota represents another step down in guaranteed financial security, at least initially. Veteran practice-squad players can earn considerably less than active-roster players, with compensation depending on the player’s experience and the terms negotiated with the team.