Odell Beckham suspension details: How failed PED test resulted in a six-game ban in 2025

Teddy Ricketson

Odell Beckham suspension details: How failed PED test resulted in a six-game ban in 2025 image

Odell Beckham Jr. remains an NFL free agent, but that hasn’t kept him out of the news.

At the start of Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, it was announced that Beckham would serve a six-game suspension for PED use dating back to the 2024 season. The veteran wideout had been appealing the ban but has now decided to accept it.

Because the appeal had delayed the process, the six-game clock hadn’t started. So, even though most teams have already played four or five games, Beckham will now be sidelined for the next six weeks — or six games if he signs with a team. If he returns to the field in 2025, it won’t be until late November.

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Here is more on why Beckham was hit with a six-game suspension.

Odell Beckham Jr. PED suspension

Beckham appeared on The Pivot podcast and announced his own suspension. He said he failed a PED test while with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, with results showing an abnormal testosterone level. Beckham maintained that he never knowingly took a banned substance but has since accepted the suspension.

With the suspension starting in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, he will not be eligible to return until Week 12 at the earliest. Beckham still hopes to play in 2025 and will likely begin working out for teams, though there’s no guarantee he will be signed.

The wide receiver played in nine games for Miami last year, catching nine of his 18 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns.

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What team is Odell Beckham Jr. on?

Beckham is not on a team. He is currently a free agent after spending the 2024 season with the Dolphins. He played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and missed all of the 2022 season while rehabbing a torn ACL suffered during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl win.

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Is Odell Beckham Jr. retired?

No, not yet. Beckham has a six-game suspension, but re-iterated that he intends to play at some point in 2025. 

Teddy Ricketson

Teddy Ricketson is a Digital Content Producer at The Sporting News. He joined the team in 2024 after spending the last three years writing for Vox Media as part of its DK Nation/Network team. Teddy does his best to support the South Carolina Gamecocks and Carolina Panthers, but tends to have more fun cheering on the Atlanta Braves. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their two dogs, Bo and Hootie.