Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to New York lasted three regular-season games, produced zero catches, and ended with the Giants releasing him Tuesday. Naturally, Antonio Brown saw that news and decided empathy could take the afternoon off.
Beckham’s Giants reunion had been one of the NFL’s more nostalgic offseason stories. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year fought his way onto the 53-man roster after sitting out the entire 2025 season, got his old No. 13 back, and received another chance with the franchise that turned him into a superstar. By the end of September, the comeback was already over.
Antonio Brown Wastes No Time Roasting Odell Beckham Jr.
Brown needed only five words and a hashtag to deliver his review. “Breaking News: Team Mascot Cut #CTESPN,” Brown wrote shortly after reports of Beckham’s release surfaced.
Subtlety has never exactly been the Brown experience.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers star has publicly targeted Beckham before, including during a bizarre offseason rant in which he mocked multiple former NFL stars. His latest shot arrived with much easier material.
Beckham played only 20 offensive snaps across three games for New York and did not record a reception. He was targeted once in Sunday’s 12-7 win over Tennessee, but his return never developed into anything resembling a meaningful role.
Breaking News: Team Mascot Cut #CTESPN
— AB (@AB84) September 29, 2026
That lack of involvement had already become noticeable. Fans were asking why Beckham was even on the roster after he went without a target against the Rams in Week 2.
Eight days after the Rams game, the Giants answered them.
Beckham’s Giants Reunion Ends Almost Before It Starts
The quiet finish was especially strange because Beckham looked capable of contributing during the preseason.
He caught seven passes for 76 yards over three exhibition games and earned his roster spot after entering camp as anything but a lock. John Harbaugh praised the work Beckham put into his comeback, and the Giants officially welcomed back one of the most popular receivers in franchise history.
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The regular season never followed the script.
New York reportedly decided to move on while creating room for Braxton Berrios, whose ability to contribute on special teams gave the Giants something Beckham was not providing. Beckham is not expected to return to the practice squad and can now look for another team willing to give him a larger role.
There is no current WR Impact ranking worth bringing up in the conversation. Beckham leaves New York without a reception, which means there simply isn’t enough 2026 receiving production to make a meaningful comparison.
For Giants fans, the reunion ended before it ever really started. For Brown, apparently, three games were more than enough time to prepare the punchline.
