The Cleveland Browns are releasing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Because the transaction is occurring after the trade deadline, the veteran wideout will enter the waiver wire. The San Francisco 49ers are 12th in the waiver wire order. Could they be interested in claiming Beckham?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Friday's practice and, naturally, was asked his thoughts on the three-time Pro Bowler. Shanahan wasn't sure if he should answer the question because he was uncertain if the release was official yet. He doesn't want to get fined by the league.
"Um, has he been let go yet?" the cautious coach asked reporters. "Because I'm not allowed to talk about him if he hasn't."
While the Browns already announced the move, the release hasn't appeared on the transaction wire just yet.
"Trying to set me up, get me in trouble," Shanahan said before adding, "Yeah, everyone's big fans of his. I don't know anyone who's not."
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Beckham will be placed on waivers on Monday and claimed on Tuesday. However, any interested team would inherit his $7.25 million salary for the remainder of the season. OverTheCap.com currently lists the 49ers with $3.47 million in salary-cap space.
Divorce officially official: After days of negotiations, the Browns and Odell Beckham Jr. finally reached a settlement that will result in him being placed on waivers Monday, after which he can be claimed Tuesday at 4 pm, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2021
Additionally, any team that claims Odell Beckham Jr. would inherit $7.25 million of salary for the remainder of the season, per sources. The cost is considered high for a player that now will be considered a rental with this being the last year of his contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2021
This morning on KNBR radio, general manager John Lynch was also careful about what he said after being asked if the 49ers might try to claim Beckham.
"Well, what I can assure you is that we're always trying to make ourselves better," Lynch said, "and we feel like if we have an opportunity to do that, we will. And so, I'll leave it at that, for strategic reasons and all those things, but we will always try to improve ourselves when we can and when it makes sense. And so, that's no different in this case, and on any player."