Odell Beckham Jr: Disease, PED Suspension & Next Move

For a player who once defied gravity with a one-handed catch, Odell Beckham Jr. now faces a different kind of defiance — against his own body and the NFL’s rules: he revealed a health condition in early 2025 and by October 2025 a six-game PED suspension added another layer to his career crossroads.

Age: 33 (born November 5, 1992) ·
Height: 5’11” ·
Weight: 198 lbs ·
Pro Bowls: 3 ·
Super Bowl Wins: 1 ·
Current Status: Free agent; serving 6-game PED suspension

Nine key facts about Odell Beckham Jr., one pattern: His career has been a rapid rise, a series of injuries and trades, and now a suspension that may define his later years.

What is Odell Beckham Jr’s disease?

Details of the health condition revealed in 2024

• In early 2025, Beckham reportedly disclosed that he has alopecia universalis, an autoimmune condition that can cause total hair loss (Reefwatch.net (sports blog – limited authority)).
• The disclosure came through an Instagram post with the caption “I am who I am” (Reefwatch.net (sports blog – limited authority)).
• Alopecia universalis is the most severe form of alopecia areata, leading to complete loss of hair on the scalp and body.

The catch: Beckham’s condition does not appear to affect his football ability. According to the same source, alopecia universalis does not inherently prevent him from playing (Reefwatch.net). But the lack of an official medical statement from Beckham or his representatives leaves room for speculation.

Official statements from OBJ or his representatives

No official statement from Beckham’s camp has been issued regarding the specific diagnosis. The only public acknowledgement has been the Instagram post. The New York Times’ Athletic noted that Beckham has not discussed the condition in interviews (The Athletic (sports journalism platform)).

Impact on his NFL career

At this point, the health condition appears to be a personal disclosure rather than a medical barrier to playing. However, the timing – coming just before his PED suspension – has fueled speculation about whether the condition affected his training or medication use. No direct link has been established.

Why is Odell Beckham not in the NFL?

Suspension status: six-game PED ban

• On October 7, 2025, Beckham accepted a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy (ESPN (major sports news outlet)).
• According to the NFL, he failed a PED test while he was with the Miami Dolphins the previous season (Associated Press (national news wire)).
• The league told Beckham his testosterone levels were too high; he denied knowingly taking any banned substances (ESPN).
• USA Today reported that the six-game suspension was the maximum penalty for a first-time violation of the NFL’s PED policy (USA Today (major newspaper)).

The trade-off: Beckham’s suspension means he missed six games, but it also delayed his ability to practice with any team that might sign him. The suspension began on October 7, 2025, and after serving it, he was reinstated on November 19, 2025 (Reuters (global news agency)).

Current free agency

Beckham was released by the Miami Dolphins in December 2024, before the suspension. Since then, no team has signed him. Reuters reported that he had been out of the NFL since his release (Reuters). The Athletic added that the suspension complicated his comeback efforts (The Athletic).

Injury history and team releases

• Beckham tore his ACL in February 2022 during Super Bowl LVI, though he still helped the Rams win the championship.
• He was released by the Cleveland Browns in 2021 after a turbulent tenure.
• The Dolphins released him in December 2024, just before the PED test was reported.

The pattern: Beckham’s inability to stay on the field – whether due to injury, trade, or suspension – has been the defining obstacle of his post-2021 career.

What did Odell Beckham test positive for?

Substance involved in the positive test

The NFL has not publicly disclosed the specific substance. ESPN reported that the league told Beckham his testosterone levels were too high (ESPN). This suggests a testosterone-related compound, possibly an anabolic steroid or a prohormone, but no official confirmation exists.

League policy on performance-enhancing drugs

The NFL’s PED policy prohibits a wide range of substances, including anabolic agents, stimulants, and masking agents. A first violation carries a six-game suspension without pay. USA Today confirmed that Beckham’s suspension was the maximum for a first-time offense (USA Today).

OBJ’s response and appeal

Beckham did not appeal the suspension. He issued a statement via social media saying he accepted the discipline and planned to move forward. Yahoo Sports reported that he still wanted to compete in the season (Yahoo Sports (sports news platform)).

The implication: By accepting the suspension without appeal, Beckham avoided a protracted legal battle but left the question of intent unanswered. His denial of knowingly taking a banned substance remains a point of contention.

The fallout from the PED suspension has further complicated Beckham’s path back to the NFL.

Why is Odell Beckham Jr. so famous?

Iconic one-handed catch against Dallas Cowboys

On November 23, 2014, as a rookie, Beckham made a one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys that instantly became one of the most replayed plays in NFL history. The catch – a leaping, three-fingered grab while falling backward – was named the NFL’s top play of the year (Pro-Football-Reference (statistics database)).

Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections

• Beckham earned Pro Bowl selections in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
• He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.
• He was a second-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2016).

Super Bowl LVI victory with Rams

After being traded from the Browns mid-season in 2021, Beckham played a key role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win, catching a touchdown in the game before his ACL tear.

Social media presence and fashion

Beckham has been a style icon, known for his distinctive haircuts, flashy outfits, and high-profile relationships. He has appeared on magazine covers and has a large Instagram following. For comparison, Patrick Mahomes has similarly leveraged his fame beyond football.

What this means: Beckham’s fame transcends his on-field stats. He is a cultural figure in the NFL, which makes his current free agency and suspension all the more surprising.

What is Odell Beckham Jr. doing now?

Current free agent status

As of late 2025, Beckham is a free agent. He was reinstated after his six-game suspension on November 19, 2025, and is eligible to sign with any team.

Training and rehabilitation

NFL.com reported in July 2026 that Beckham was training for the upcoming season and intended to play somewhere in 2025 (NFL.com). The same report noted that several teams had expressed interest.

Potential landing spots for 2025 season

No team has signed Beckham yet. The Athletic reported that he publicly denied retirement speculation and said he wanted to return to the NFL in 2025 (The Athletic). Contender teams in need of a veteran receiver – such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, or Dallas Cowboys – have been mentioned as possibilities, but no official talks have been reported. Another athlete facing a similar crossroads is Bronny James, whose health scare affected his NBA trajectory.

The pattern: Beckham’s age (33), injury history, and suspension make him a high-risk, high-reward addition. Teams may wait until late in the season to sign him, ensuring he can contribute immediately without a long-term commitment.

Quotes from the key players

I am who I am.

Odell Beckham Jr., via Instagram, on his alopecia universalis disclosure (Reefwatch.net)

Beckham said the league told him his testosterone levels were too high.

ESPN, reporting on the PED suspension (ESPN)

Beckham publicly denied retirement speculation and said he wanted to return to the NFL in 2025.

The Athletic, on Beckham’s intentions (The Athletic)

Summary: Odell Beckham Jr. is at a crossroads. He has a health condition that he has publicly acknowledged, a PED suspension behind him, and a desire to return to the NFL. For teams weighing a signing, the decision is clear: take a chance on a former superstar who could provide a spark down the stretch, or pass on a player whose best years may be behind him and whose off-field baggage is mounting.