Jerry Jones claims Cowboys still in Odell Beckham Jr. chase as another suitor comes off board
By Adam Weinrib
On Monday night, the Cowboys appeared to deliver the final blow to their pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr., signing four-time Pro Bowl wideout TY Hilton out of his forced retirement to help stretch the field during the final weeks of 2022 and into the postseason.
That maneuver came after Beckham visited the Cowboys’ facility, took in a Mavericks game from the best seats in the house with Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons, and declined to work out, something fans quickly learned was because his ACL wasn’t fully healed from tearing during February’s Super Bowl. Therefore, Beckham would not be an option for the regular season, and would only be a faintly glimmering star come January.
Still, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have not totally moved on, according to the team on Tuesday. Must love the spotlight — or, at least, holding fans and the media captive.
With a wink and a nod, Jones told the gathered media that the “door is not closed” on Beckham this year, who will be ready come spring. A totally incongruous statement from a fairly predictable man.
Jerry Jones said the door is not closed on on Odell Beckham joining the Cowboys this year: I wouldn't go that far if you include the playoffs.@1053thefan https://t.co/JxWQoSYXbj
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 13, 2022
Cowboys still seeking Odell Beckham Jr. for playoff run?
So … it’s fair to close the door on the regular season, as Cowboys beat writers and players have been saying for weeks. But Jones, not ready to turn the cameras off just yet, wants fans to believe Beckham might be a viable playoff target in just four weeks’ time. That’s why he made the move for the ex-Colt. Right.
Beckham appears to have lost another suitor on Tuesday, with the Buffalo Bills bringing Cole Beasley back from a similar purgatory to the one Hilton was residing in.
That leaves only the New York Giants still involved, from Beckham’s recent grouping of visits, and presents the possibility of a dark horse team like the Chiefs joining the fray.
Oh, right, and the Cowboys, who are still telling everyone to sleep with one eye open.
Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, he expects T.Y. Hilton to be able to help immediately after signing Monday. “He’s a receiver that the defense will have to honor,” Jones said. Jones wouldn’t rule out possibility of Odell Beckham Jr., but said he’s not ready to play right now.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 13, 2022
Beckham will likely help some team in 2023, whether it be the seemingly-obsessed-with-the-circus Cowboys, his former team in East Rutherford, or the AFC’s top-tier Bills.
To pretend like his addition could come any sooner than the offseason would be lunacy, though. There’s no bidding war, other than the one Jones has crafted in his mind’s eye.
