- The Browns are releasing wide receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. - The move comes days after Beckham's dad posted a video criticizing the team's offense.
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"After careful consideration, internal discussions and conversations with Odell and his representation, we've determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns," Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said in a statement.
"We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we've just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell," he added. "We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career."
The Browns "excused" Beckham from practice this week. Numerous reports on Thursday and Friday indicated that the two sides were working on a release agreement.
Beckham, who turned 29 on Friday, has been a controversial figure on the team, and his release comes after his father posted a video on social media criticizing the Browns.
The video showed plays where Beckham got open on his routes, only for quarterback Baker Mayfield to miss him or throw a poor pass.
Indeed, across 2.5 seasons in Cleveland, Beckham and Mayfield struggled to get on the same page. In 29 games with the Browns, Beckham totaled 1,586 yards and 7 touchdowns on 114 catches. For reference, in his second season in the NFL, with the New York Giants, Beckham posted 1,450 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 96 catches in just 15 games.
On Wednesday, Mayfield was asked if he was "hurt" by Beckham's father posting the video.
"Hurt? No. Surprised? Yes," Mayfield said. Mayfield said Beckham had not apologized to him.
Beckham will be on waivers and will become a free agent if he clears waivers.