Odell Beckham Jr. reveals initial hesitation with Dolphins signing over Tua Tagovailoa throwing style

Odell Beckham Jr. is playing with his fifth team. He’s been catching passes in the NFL for the past decade. So he knows what he likes. That’s why he was worried about Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

It’s nothing personal with Tagovailoa. There are no lingering feelings in regards to Alabama-LSU. It’s nothing like that. However, Tagovailoa just happens to be a hard-throwing lefty.

I definitely was a little hesitant at first, because he’s a lefty, and I think I shied away from lefties,” Beckham told reporters. “But now that I think about it, I’ve been throwing with Jarvis Landry since I was 15 years old. One of my trainers is left-handed.”

The newest Dolphins receiver offerered more Tua thoughts. “They said he just throws different. They said the accuracy and the spin, they’re like it’s not really like he’s left-handed. Just watching his film, there’s a lot of great things that he’s been doing. He did it at Alabama, did it here with the Dolphins. Like I said, I’ve just seen an opportunity when I really watched the film, when I really sat down and didn’t look at a destination. I looked at myself in the mirror and a place for me and my career. I’ve just seen a lot of opportunity here.”

Dolphins offense should suit OBJ’s talents

OBJ should see a lot of opportunity with the Dolphins. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel has the rep as being an offensive innovator. And he loves the passing game. Tagovailoa led the league in passing in 2023. And top receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle all got some nice statistics. Beckham won’t be required to be the the top wideout. Rather, he can become a nice option.

“I think we all just push each other, and for me at this place in my life and my career, I haven’t been the No. 1 [receiver] in a minute,” Beckham said. “You could go look at targets. You could go look at anything. That’s not really where I’ve been at. So just understanding your role and how can you be the very best at that role, maximize those opportunities. Don’t look for more or less, just stay within that present moment, and I think you’ll find a way to succeed.”

Beckham spent last season with the Ravens catching passes from Lamar Jackson. He ended the season with six starts and 35 receptions. The catch totals were Beckham’s best since 2019 pre-ACL tear.

Earlier this month, the Dolphins signed him to a one-year contract that will pay $3 million. Incentives can take it to $8 million.

He then explained what sealed his decision.

“He’s easily Top 5 QB in the league,” OBJ said of Tagovailoa. “When I was looking at my options [Chiefs, Bills, Cowboys], I immediately knew my best chance to win another Super Bowl was with Tua.”