CLEVELAND — With the results on the field being less than stellar, many have wondered if Odell Beckhan Jr.'s days with the Cleveland Browns will soon be numbered, or if the former All-Pro receiver even wants to stay.
However, it seems Beckham is more than content with where he is right now, both professionally and personally.
"I'm definitely happy," he told Maverick Carter on Uninterrupted's "Who's Interviewing Who" video podcast. "My mind, my spirit, my soul, everything's been great...I'm in the best place I've been in in my life."
Beckham cited a strong relationship with his girlfriend as well as a "steady" home in the Cleveland area. He's also excited to use his platform to be a voice for social change.
"With everything going on in the world...I didn't want sports to be like this band-aid," he said. "We have a chance [and] an opportunity right now to change our history, our future."
Beckham is, of course, talking about the "Black Lives Matter" movement, which has gained mainstream acceptance among a majority of Americans following further examples of racism and police brutality in the country. Beckham believes voting is one of the keys to reform, and that's why he's partnering with LeBron James' (one of the owners of Uninterrupted) "More Than A Vote" campaign as the 2020 election approaches.
It's a bit of a shift for Beckham, who previously eschewed voting before this year.
"Seeing how important it is, my biggest message is going to be to vote," he said. "If all of you feel a way about something...your vote will actually matter. The only way out of it is to vote."
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed things, and the NFL is no exception. Social distancing concerns made in-person workouts impossible for much of the offseason, and fans weren't allowed into the Browns' season opener in Baltimore, something Beckham couldn't help but notice.
"It was dead," he said, noting he could hear "everything" that was actually going on as far as the game was concerned. "Personally, I still think that they should've waited and that we could've waited it out...[but] it was actually kind of cool being out there."
The game was not a memorable one for Odell and the Browns, as the 27-year-old caught just three passes in a 38-6 Cleveland loss. Rumors have been swirling about the wideout's future with the team, but he says he's gotten better at ignoring rumors.
"I just realized it was a lose-lose-lose-lose situation," Beckham said about how to address such concerns. "What am I going to say? It doesn't matter."
But while Beckham seems happy in Northeast Ohio, he admits he's "hungry" to start winning, something he hasn't done much of here or in his previous stop with the New York Giants.
"I want it that bad," he said. "I just want to be a part of something special and be a part of something great. That's really everything for me right now."
Watch the full conversation between Odell and Maverick in the player below (NOTE: Some offensive language is used):