Chiefs trade rumors: Odell Beckham Jr may not be the best move for KC

It’s hard to believe, but the 2022 NFL season is fast-forwarding and it’s already close to its midpoint. That means some teams are starting to think about the 2023 draft, while others – like the Kansas City Chiefs – are considering Tuesday’s trade deadline and potential free agent signings that could help them in the playoffs.

Among the free agent signings the Chiefs might consider are wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is currently rehabilitated from a torn ACL. there is.

In 2021, Beckham helped the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI. He played in six games for the Cleveland Browns before being released (and signed with the Rams) in November. He appeared in a total of 14 regular season games last season, amassing 44 receptions for 537 yards and five touchdowns. In four postseason competitions for Los Angeles, he really shined with 21 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

Kansas City fans are hoping they can perform similarly for the Chiefs in 2022. But during a recent media presence, head coach Andy Reid didn’t make any commitments about that possibility – and as usual, it was deferred to general manager Brett Veach.

“He’s a great football player,” Reid said. “What I can tell you is. I don’t know where his rehab is all the way to where he’s going and this whole deal. Brett always maneuvers.”

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce seemed a little more excited about the possibility. After restructuring his contract to free up $3.5 million cap space for the team, contributed to the rumors During the “New Heights” podcast.

It is unknown whether $3.5 million will be enough to sign Beckham.

Perhaps more worrying is that he’s going into rehab. immortality only an ACL tear, but a second reconstruction in the same knee. He first tore his ACL in Week 7 of the 2020 season – at age 27.

How have other recipients been after ACL tears?

Beckham isn’t the only striker to return from ACL tears in 2022. Three more players have returned to the field after injury last season.

player (Age) rehabilitation	2021 (per game)	2022 (per game)	Notes
Chris Godwin (25) 8.9 months	7 records 78.8 yards 0.36 TD	5.8 records 58.6 yards 0.00 TD	Team missed 4th in receptions, 2nd in yards with hamstring tightness, missed 2 matches (same leg)
Robert Woods (29) 10.1 months	5 records 61.8 yards 0.40 TD	4 records 38.3 yards 0.17 TD	Leads the team at receptions and gardens
Michael Gallup (25) 9.1 months.	3.9 records 49.4 yards 0.22 TD	2 records 21.5 yards 0.25 TD	Returned at week 4, done without reception at week 7

As you can see, all three buyers experienced a decline in their production from 2021 to 2022. Each gets at least one less catch — and at least 20 less yards — every game. Godwin, who also had the shortest time frame to return to the field, also suffered a setback with his ACL reconstruction with a hamstring injury in the same leg.

Despite their different playing styles, Woods was the same age as Beckham at the time of his injury. It’s not a direct comparison, but the fact that Beckham turned 30 in early November – and this is the second ACL tear in the same knee – should be cause for concern about his immediate production.

Even at a younger age at the time of his first anterior anterior cruciate ligament injury, Beckham saw such a decline. In his final season before injury, he averaged 4.6 receptions and 64.7 yards per game. He averaged 3.1 receptions and 38.4 yards in 2021. We may see another drop when it returns in 2022.

Each of these receivers needed about nine months to get back on the field after their injury, and they also had time to boot camp or practice to get back in shape. Injured on February 13, Beckham could be on his way back in late November or early December. However, no matter which team he signs with, he will also need time to get back to the training ground. This will establish the realistic timeline for returning to the playing field from mid to late December.

Is Beckham worth the risk?

Given the evidence of reduced production for the season in the immediate aftermath of this injury and the increasing contract demand that Beckham will demand, it’s doubtful whether a team will focus on picking him up.

While there have been a few wide receivers who have returned to previous production levels after recovering from this injury in previous seasons, a few (if any) of these have been 30 (or greater) after returning – or have returned from a season. second ACL repair. And it usually took 1-2 seasons for each to regain their production.

And as we know, Reid’s attack on Kansas City is notoriously complex.

Also… in the last two weeks, we’ve seen Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdez-Scantling taken off-season to absorb more on offense and contribute to the team. Two players contributed 348 yards to 15 receptions and two scores — and both players over 100 yards during Sunday’s 44-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs were also backed by veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who contributed three touchdowns to the win.

It’s never wrong to add depth or flair to a team; Sometimes an NFL season depends on whether a team stays healthy. It’s really just a matter of priorities. Should the Chiefs focus their attention on the wide receiver position or elsewhere? Should a great player recovering from a second anterior anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction be considered the key to the home offense?

Given the offense’s recent production against top-of-the-line defenses and the history of wide receivers that have recently recovered from ACL repairs, it may be best for the Chiefs to focus their attention elsewhere.