Contract Overview
Odell Beckham Jr signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2019, with the deal structured as a one-year contract with a base salary of $25 million and a $10 million signing bonus, according to NFL salary-cap data and team filings. The contract included a full guarantee on the signing bonus and base salary, making Beckham one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league that season. The deal was designed to provide short-term veteran production while keeping long-term cap flexibility for the Browns. The structure also included performance incentives tied to receptions and touchdowns.
Under the terms of the agreement, Beckham's cap hit was approximately $25 million for the 2019 season, with the full base salary guaranteed. The contract did not include a team option or a player option, meaning it expired after the 2019 campaign. The Browns absorbed the entire cap charge in the year Beckham was on the roster. The deal was structured to allow Beckham to earn additional money through incentives, but the base guarantee remained fixed. The contract is often cited as a short-term win-now move by the Browns front office.
Salary and Cap Impact
Beckham's base salary of $25 million placed him among the top earners at the wide receiver position in the 2019 NFL season. The contract's cap hit was exactly $25 million, with no dead money expected after his release or retirement in subsequent years. The Browns managed Beckham's cap number by structuring the deal with a large signing bonus and minimal guaranteed base salary beyond the first year. This approach allowed the team to clear cap space quickly if Beckham was released after the season. The contract is an example of a high-cost, short-term veteran addition in the NFL.
The total guaranteed money in the Beckham contract was $35 million, including the $10 million signing bonus and the $25 million base salary guarantee. The contract also included a $1 million roster bonus that was fully guaranteed. Beckham's cap number remained flat at $25 million for the duration of the deal, with no escalators that would increase the hit in future years. The Browns did not extend the contract beyond the single season, and Beckham became a free agent after the 2019 campaign. The contract's structure is often referenced in discussions about high-cost veteran wide receiver deals.
Current Status and Aftermath
Beckham was released by the Browns on February 25, 2020, after the team opted not to pick up the final year of the deal. The release resulted in no dead cap space for Cleveland, as the contract had fully expired. Beckham subsequently signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million, with a $3 million signing bonus. The Browns received no compensation in the trade or release, as Beckham's contract was fully settled. Beckham's time in Cleveland ended after one season, with the team moving on to other offensive weapons.
After leaving the Browns, Beckham continued to play in the NFL with the Ravens and later the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns' decision to release Beckham was based on cap considerations and performance expectations. The contract is often analyzed in the context of the Browns' 2019 offseason moves, which also included the acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Beckham's short tenure in Cleveland is a case study in short-term veteran contracts in the NFL. The deal is documented in NFL salary-cap reports and team financial filings.
Key Contract Figures
Base Salary
$25 million
Signing Bonus
$10 million
Total Guaranteed
$35 million
Cap Hit
$25 million