Malik Nabers Speaks Out on Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. Reunion

He wants to play again in the NFL in 2025, and if it’s with the New York Giants, then Odell Beckham Jr.’s return won’t upset Malik Nabers. In fact, the sixth player taken in the 2025 NFL draft sounds eager for the Giants to reunite with the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The idea of Beckham having a second tour with the Giants gained traction after the veteran “acknowledged a fan’s plea to ‘go back to the Giants’ during a charity event, then shared pictures of he and his son outside MetLife Stadium,” according to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports.

Nabers reacted positively to Beckham’s impromptu visit to MetLife Stadium. The sixth player taken in the 2024 NFL draft posted on Instagram, “We still got work to do,” per SNY.tv’s Giants Videos.

While Nabers is excited about the possibility of playing alongside another LSU great, others are divided about Beckham suiting up for the Giants again.

Opinion Split on Giants, Odell Beckham Jr. Reunion

One reporter is more lukewarm about the Giants re-signing Beckham for anything more than just one day. A brief photo op to preface Beckham’s retirement would be the “most logical” plan to USA Today and NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton.

In a post on ‘X’ from Wednesday, June 25, Stapleton explained, “I don’t know if @obj is done playing, but there’s no question in my mind that when he officially decides to retire, he should do so with the Giants. Is that with a last hurrah on a minimum deal? Not sure of that. Is it a one-day contract to come back into the alumni fold? Seems to be the most logical reunion.”

When a post from GothamSportsGuy called for the Giants to “Bring OBJ home! One year Vet Minimum! who says no?!,” Stapleton replied, “I think both sides say no to different aspects of that scenario.”

One person not saying no to Beckham rejoining the Giants is Benjamin. He’s firmly in the camp of those who think the Giants should put OBJ onto the field again.

Benjamin’s reasoning is based upon Beckham remaining “a fan favorite among contingents of Giants faithful for the spunky playmaking that made him an NFL phenom at the start of his career. And some added receiver depth couldn’t hurt behind returning starters Nabers and Darius Slayton.”

A return for Beckham can also mean good news for the Giants’ changing situation at quarterback. As Benjamin put it, “if coach Brian Daboll is trying to squeeze what he can out of Russell Wilson before turning to Jaxson Dart under center, Beckham registers as a decent low-risk gamble to give New York another set of proven hands off the bench.”

While this a sound argument, there are some holes. Notably, how Beckham hardly left the Giants on the best of terms when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

There are other compelling reasons why a return tour for OBJ is not a good idea for the Giants. Nor does it make sense for Nabers.

Giants Don’t Need Malik Nabers, Odell Beckham Jr. Partnership

The Giants must safeguard Nabers’ development, but signing Beckham wouldn’t be the best way to look after their prized asset. OBJ has never been able to shake a reputation as something of a so-called “diva,” a wideout willing to speak out about his usage and be critical of his team publicly.

That’s something the Giants grew tired of during Beckham’s time in New York. It’s also something the team has already seen from Nabers, who called out play-calling and the toughness of his team after a defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.

Dealing with one outspoken receiver is enough, but the Giants have also had to hear natural deep threat Jalin Hyatt vent his displeasure. Hyatt “mentally checked out at points last season after clashing with the coaching staff and upper management,” SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes.

It sounds like things are changing for the better, with Hyatt bullish about a possible breakout season. His growing rapport with Wilson is another reason the Giants should pass on Beckham, who is 32, has torn his left ACL twice and hasn’t made more than 35 catches, nor tallied 1,000 yards or more, in a season since 2019.