Dolphins moving on from Odell Beckham Jr.

The Miami Dolphins plan to release Odell Beckham Jr. in a move that’s viewed as mutually beneficial for both parties.

Beckham, who has been away from the team for personal reasons all week, had fallen down the Dolphins’ depth chart because of the emergence of rookie receiver Malik Washington, who has become Miami’s primary returner and slot receiver in the second half of the season.

Miami’s coaches view Washington, whose 45-yard kickoff return was a major factor in Miami’s 32-26 overtime win against the New York Jets last Sunday, as one of Miami’s most impressive rookies in years, and want to continue pouring into the former University of Virginia standout, who the team selected in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft.

Beckham, who worked his way back from a surgical procedure he had done to one of his knees this offseason, has played sparingly the past two months, contributing nine receptions for 55 yards.

According to the NFL Network, which first reported the release on Friday morning, Beckham hopes to find another opportunity, possibly with a team in the hunt for the playoffs. He will be subjected to waivers on Monday, but whatever team claims him will inherit the one-year incentive laden deal that pays him a base salary of $3 million.

It’s more realistic that Beckham, a 10-year veteran who was once viewed as one of the NFL’s most talented receivers before injuries derailed his career, will clear waivers and be able to pick his next team.

The roster spot Beckham’s impending release creates will likely open the door for Miami to elevate pass rusher Bradley Chubb to the 53-man roster.

Chubb, who sustained a troublesome right knee injury last New Years Eve, has been practicing with the team for the past two weeks with the goal of playing before the season concludes.

His coaches and teammates believe he’s finally ready to contribute, and the Dolphins clearly have a need for reinforcement at the edge position, which has been decimated by injuries this season.

The Dolphins could also elevate receiver Greg Dubose, who participated in his first week of practice after spending the past two months rehabbing a shoulder injury that got him placed on injured reserve.