The time of Odell Beckham Jr. with the Cleveland Browns was marked by criticism and problems. With the Los Angeles Rams, the 29-year-old is blossoming again and shining in the playoffs – even in an unfamiliar role.

Los Angeles/Munich – It was just over a fortnight ago that Odell Beckham Jr. complained about his time with the Cleveland Browns in an “ESPN” interview.

“The last couple of years I’ve felt robbed,” the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver stated, “I’ve missed the end zone, and it just hasn’t been as seamless as it could be.”

The former first-round pick played for Cleveland from 2019 to 2021. It never became a love affair. There was no harmony with quarterback Baker Mayfield, and there was trouble with the bosses, too. Mutual accusations followed, and OBJ’s father was also heavily involved.

Odell Beckham leaves Browns behind

Negative peak: a video posted by Odell Beckham Sr. that pointed out countless scenes in which his free-standing son was not thrown at by Mayfield. Hardly anything was left at the time of the once excellent pass receiver he was with the New York Giants.

Now, after being released by the Browns and signed by the Rams in November 2021, a new chapter has begun for the 29-year-old – and quite successfully.

In his six games for the Browns this season, the receiver did not score a single touchdown, anyway he only managed seven during his time there. In eight regular-season games for the Rams, he found himself in the end zone five times.

OBJ sets NFL record

The temporary highlight with his new employer he delivered and experienced in the Wild Card Game against the Arizona Cardinals. Not only because the Rams celebrated a clear 34:11 victory – the first ever playoff win for OBJ – but above all because he contributed significantly to the success of his team with his performance.

On the very first drive, he scored a touchdown after a pass from playmaker Matthew Stafford – his very first in an NFL playoff game. But that was not all.

In the third quarter, Beckham was part of a trick play. After a pass from Stafford, the wide receiver hurled the ball towards the right sideline to running back Cam Akers. Akers caught the pass and a few plays later L.A. celebrated the next touchdown. The trick play went down in the statistics as a 40-yard pass to Beckham Jr.

With this and a 31-yard catch he could even make history. Making the 29-year-old the first player in NFL history to have a catch and a pass of at least 30 yards each in a single postseason game.

$500,000 for win against Cardinals

And financially, too, the game was an absolute hit for him. So Beckham signed a heavily performance-based contract in November that is tied to success in the postseason. For the win against the Cardinals he will receive 500,000 US dollars.

If he wins against the defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round on Sunday, another 750,000 dollars would go into his account.

For the receiver, however, it is probably less about the financial reward for the strong playoff performance. It is much more important for him that he can write headlines with sporting success again after a time in Cleveland marked by criticism and doubts.