Browns release wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

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The Cleveland Browns have released star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the team announced Friday in a statement.

"We appreciate all his effort and contributions while in Cleveland, but we've just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said. "We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career."

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio first reported the news late Thursday night.

According to Florio, "the move is expected to be accompanied by a revised contract that reduces the team's obligation to pay Beckham, if he’s not claimed on waivers and becomes eligible for the balance of his salary termination pay."

Beckham Jr. is still due approximately $8 million this season. Should the wide receiver be claimed on waivers, his new team would be on the hook for his remaining salary. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent and the Browns would pay his remaining salary.

Beckham Jr. reportedly was excused from Browns practice for a second straight day Thursday after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., shared a video on Instagram that criticized quarterback Baker Mayfield. The video was posted after Beckham Jr. caught his only target for a total of six yards in Cleveland's most recent game, a Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told Browns players on Wednesday that Beckham Jr. was "essentially not on the team right now," according to Michael Silver.

Since returning from a torn ACL in Week 3, the three-time Pro Bowl wideout has recorded 17 receptions on 34 targets for 232 yards and zero touchdowns over six games.

Beckham Jr., who actually turns 29 on Friday, was acquired by Cleveland in a March 2019 trade with the New York Giants. He has two more years remaining on the five-year, $90 million contract he signed with New York back in 2018, but none of the remaining money beyond this season is guaranteed.

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