Beckham Jr. accepts six-game NFL PED suspension as free agent

Odell Beckham Jr. announced Tuesday that he has accepted a six-game suspension from the NFL for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy tied to last season while he was with the Miami Dolphins. Beckham revealed the decision on The Pivot podcast and said the suspension is now reflected on the NFL transaction wire.

Beckham said routine bloodwork at the start of last season showed low testosterone but that a subsequent test registered elevated levels, producing the positive result. He denied knowingly taking any banned substances and said he has never failed a drug test in his career. "Ive never cheated the system," he said on the podcast. He also told hosts he regretted not serving the penalty during the 2024 season, saying, "In hindsight, I should have just taken it. Had the six games, got punished then, let it blow over."

The suspension applies once it is in effect under league rules, rendering Beckham ineligible for six games. The wide receiver, a free agent, said he is not retiring and named several teams he would consider for a return, including the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and his original team, the New York Giants.