Two Big NFL Name Changes You Might Have Missed

The New York Giants aren't just shaking up their roster for next season—they're also bringing back a familiar face. Odell Beckham Jr. , a star wide receiver from their past, will return to the team after testing the waters with a recent workout. Beckham first joined the Giants back in 2014 when he was picked early in the draft. His time in New York wasn't short—he played five seasons, catching nearly 400 passes and scoring over 40 touchdowns. But football moves fast, and after a trade to Cleveland and a brief stop in Los Angeles where he won a Super Bowl, Beckham’s recent suspension in 2025 put his career on pause. Now, at 30 years old, he’s making a comeback attempt with the team that drafted him.Then there’s Russell Wilson, a quarterback who joined the Giants last year but didn’t stick around long. He started three games for them before a rookie took over. Wilson had other options this season—like a backup role with the Jets—but instead, he’s switching careers. He’s moving from the field to the TV studio, signing on as a CBS Sports analyst. His spot replaces Matt Ryan, who left to join an NFL front office. Wilson’s sudden pivot from player to pundit has fans wondering: why now? What’s interesting here is how both moves show how NFL careers don’t always follow a straight path. Beckham’s return isn’t just a nostalgia play—it’s a gamble on a player who’s had highs and lows, including injuries and suspensions. Wilson, once one of the league’s top quarterbacks, is choosing to step away from football at a time when many players push to stay in the game longer. Both decisions reflect bigger trends in the sport: veterans exploring new roles, and teams taking calculated risks on familiar names.