MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — This was what all these Odell Beckham Jr. followers were ready for.
Perhaps it was what head coach John Harbaugh was ready for, as properly: a probability, a actual alternative to flip back the clock with a classic spotlight to permit all of Beckham’s many supporters to cry out, “See, he’s still got it!’’
It was late in the second quarter of Saturday’s 26-3 preseason victory over the Dolphins, and the Giants followers on the scene at Hard Rock Stadium let out an audible gasp when Jameis Winston appeared into the finish zone from the Miami 14-yard line.
Beckham got behind cornerback Miles Battle and Winston put the ball where it wanted to be.
It was about to occur.
Beckham leaped into the air at the back of the finish zone. A landing felt imminent, and that would have been something to rekindle these OBJ recollections.
Alas, it did not occur.
The ball sailed between Beckham’s palms and deflected away, as he could not make a seize that would have been pretty routine for him years in the past during his heyday with the Giants.
Beckham, clearly pissed off, went to his knees and bent backward as far as he could, his helmet practically scraping the floor.
It was a powerful second for the 33-year-old, who did not play in the NFL last season and is trying to make a comeback with the franchise that made him a first-round decide in 2014.
“He was in the air a very long time,’’ Harbaugh advised The Post. “He got up — method up. I know he would say, ‘I wake up at 4 in the morning and I’m making that play.’ He knows he can make that play, and it’s a actually powerful play to make.
“Making it would have just been spectacular. I appeared at that play as a constructive in his favor. I thought it was spectacular where he was at, going to get the ball. I think he’s succesful of still making that play.’’
Beckham feels the same method.
Odell Beckham Jr. breaks a sort out against cornerback Ethan Bonner during the first half of the Giants’ 26-3 preseason win over the Dolphins on Aug. 22, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I’m pissed,’’ he said. “This is the one that keeps me up at night. It’s a play I know I can make. I just felt like I was hanging so long. You take it on the chin like a man. The confidence is still there. I know I’ll make that play the next time.”
Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin III and rookie Malachi Fields began at extensive receiver, but Beckham was given a lot of alternatives in the first half. He made a nifty transfer on cornerback Ethan Bonner alongside the left sideline to flip a quick achieve after the catch into a 12-yard pickup. After he failed to come down with the ball in the finish zone, Beckham hauled in a 5-yard reception to set up a Dominic Zvada subject purpose as time expired in the first half.
Jameis Winston (left) celebrates with Odell Beckham Jr. during the first half of the Giants’ preseason win over the Dolphins. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Harbaugh has called Beckham one of his favourite gamers — they were collectively in 2023 with the Ravens — but private emotions will not dictate roster spots. Beckham has stayed wholesome and on the subject — a main prerequisite — but has yet to make a play to separate himself from the other extensive receivers in the room.
“I don’t care if it was larger, decrease, wherever it was at, that’s on me,’’ Beckham said. “I really feel like if the ball is anywhere close to me, if it touches my fingertips, I’m supposed to catch it.’’
He practically did. Almost.