Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. on best performance since 2019: 'It's been a long time coming'

Is Odell Beckham Jr. officially back?

OBJ authored his best game since 2019 on Thursday night in Baltimore’s 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, generating 116 yards on four catches, the most receiving yards in a game for Beckham since Week 2, 2019 (161 yards with Cleveland). It’s just the second time since Week 6, 2019, that Beckham has surpassed the 100-yard mark in a contest — the other was a nine-catch, 113-yard performance in 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams during their NFC Championship Game win over the San Francisco 49ers.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Beckham said of his performance via the Baltimore Sun. “Been a lot of hard work.

At the start of the season, I was in pain and couldn’t be my usual self. My movements lacked the usual energy and I couldn’t move as I wanted to. I believe people were unaware of the struggle I was going through.

Beckham, who was absent the entire previous season due to a knee injury, got medical treatment for his shoulder after his last catch and run. However, he assured everyone after the game that he was in good shape.

Thursday night, his 116 yards led the Ravens; the next closest player was Zay Flowers with 43. OBJ’s night could have been even bigger, as he burned defensive backs two other times but couldn’t connect with Lamar Jackson.

Beckham’s 100-yard explosion followed consecutive weeks where he scored a touchdown, including a classic 40-yard slant-to-the-house last week against Cleveland. His recent performance indicates that he is fully assimilated into the offense and prepared to cause a stir.

When asked if he finally found chemistry with Beckham, Jackson responded, “Yes, I believe so. As we continue to practice, improve every week, and as long as he keeps up his efforts, I believe our chemistry will significantly improve.”

The Ravens will need Beckham more than ever, with star tight end Mark Andrews suffering a likely season-ending ankle injury Thursday night. In past years, Baltimore would have been sunk sans Andrews, but this year’s iteration is better positioned to withstand the loss. That starts with Beckham and Flowers seeing more targets on key downs.