3 reasons 49ers won’t put waiver claim on Odell Beckham Jr.

With the Browns parting ways with Odell Beckham, there’s a thought the 49ers could put in a waiver claim for the veteran receiver, but it likely won’t happen.

Yes, there have been times the San Francisco 49ers have been interested in to-be-released Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Back in the early months of 2019 when the New York Giants were originally not shopping him but ultimately elected to do so, shipping him off to Cleveland for a first- and a third-round NFL Draft pick, along with two players, the Niners were viewed as a potential destination. There was chatter head coach Kyle Shanahan was interested, too, although later reports surfaced San Francisco would have had to dish out what was then the No. 2 overall pick that year.

The 49ers subsequently used that selection on EDGE Nick Bosa. From a Niners standpoint, it’s probably a good thing no trade for Beckham materialized.

Now, teams like the Niners may have a chance again.

The Browns are parting ways with their receiving star, but NFL rules mandate a released player at this point in the season has to go through waivers. Yet a wide receiver-needy team might also take some comfort knowing Cleveland is trying to rework Beckham’s salary to the point where a claiming team won’t have to actually dish out a lot:

As things turned out, the claiming team will have to eat that $7.25 million anyway as part of grabbing Beckham off waivers.

Still sounds enticing for San Francisco, right? Especially given the need to infuse additional talent into an offense that’s been inconsistent at best this season and despite the fact the Niners don’t have that much available cap space.

While the thought of Beckham to the 49ers would have been enticing not long ago, the chances of it happening now are awfully slim.

Let’s break down three reasons why.