It used to be that if you heard the name "Beckham" in an American sports bar, everyone immediately thought of the one-handed catch against the Cowboys. Fast forward to 2026, and that conversation has shifted. Now, you’re just as likely to hear people debating a reality TV finale or a high-fashion runway walk.
That is the power of the Beckham brothers.
Odell Beckham Jr. and his younger brother Kordell Beckham have managed to capture two completely different sides of the American zeitgeist. One is an NFL veteran wrestling with the sunset of a Hall of Fame-caliber career; the other is a reality TV darling who just turned a stint on Love Island USA into a full-blown media empire.
But here’s the thing: most people still think Kordell is just "Odell’s little brother." They couldn’t be more wrong.
The Brotherly Dynamic That Actually Works
Kordell isn't riding coattails. Honestly, if you watch them together—like that viral video call during Love Island USA Season 6—it’s clear the dynamic is less "superstar and shadow" and more "mentor and protégé."
At 23, Kordell has already carved out a space that Odell, despite his fashion sense and celebrity friends, never quite touched. Reality TV is a different beast. It requires a level of emotional transparency that most NFL players are trained to hide. While Odell was famously guarded about his personal life (remember the brief Kim Kardashian dating rumors that went nowhere?), Kordell was crying on camera and winning over millions with his relationship with Serena Page.
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Odell’s advice to him? "Just be yourself."
It sounds like a cliché you’d find on a Hallmark card, but for a guy like Odell Beckham Jr., who spent years being vilified by the media for "diva" behavior, it was hard-earned wisdom. He was telling Kordell to avoid the traps he fell into. You don't have to put on a facade. If they don't like you, they don't like you.
Where Odell Beckham Jr. Stands in 2026
Let’s be real about the football side for a second. The 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins was rough. Nine games, nine catches, 55 yards. It wasn't the "OBJ" we remember from the Giants days. Then came the 2025 season, which was basically a wash after a six-game PED suspension.
Today, in early 2026, Odell is 33 and currently a free agent.
There’s a lot of chatter. The Buffalo Bills have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for the playoffs because, let’s face it, Josh Allen needs targets and Odell has "fresh legs" since he hasn't played much lately. But the reality is that the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league. Since that ACL tear in the Rams' Super Bowl win, the production just hasn't been there.
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- 2021 (Rams): 5 TDs, Super Bowl Ring.
- 2023 (Ravens): 565 yards, flashes of the old self.
- 2024 (Dolphins): Mutual parting of ways in December.
- 2025: Suspended, unsigned.
He says he’s "not done yet." Whether a team actually believes that remains to be seen.
Kordell: The New Face of the Family Brand
While Odell is fighting for one last roster spot, Kordell Beckham is booked and busy. Since winning Love Island, he hasn't slowed down. He’s the "Chief Fantaseez Officer" for Cheez-It (a dream he literally manifested on the show) and is moving into scripted acting with a Keke Palmer series.
What’s fascinating is how the brothers have swapped roles in the public eye.
Odell was the one who brought the "flair" to the NFL. He made the pre-game tunnel walk a fashion show. Kordell took that baton and ran it straight into the heart of Hollywood. He moved to Los Angeles, joined the modeling circuit, and became a fixture at the same high-profile events Odell used to frequent alone.
It’s a different kind of fame. It’s "always-on" fame.
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The Connection Nobody Talks About
We often talk about them as individuals, but the glue is their father, Odell Beckham Sr. He’s the one who kept the family unit tight despite the half-sibling labels (Odell Jr. and Kordell share a father but have different mothers).
When Kordell was in the Love Island villa, Odell Sr. made a cameo. When Kordell is walking a runway, Odell Jr. is in the comments section calling him "twin." They are genuinely each other’s biggest fans. In an industry where family members often turn into leeches, the Beckhams seem to have figured out how to let everyone have their own spotlight.
What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
If you’re following the Beckham trajectory, there are two ways to look at this.
First, the NFL reality: If you’re a fan holding out hope for an OBJ comeback, keep your eyes on the playoff-bound teams with injury bugs (like Buffalo). His market value is at an all-time low, which makes him a high-reward, low-risk "plug and play" veteran for a three-week championship run.
Second, the Entertainment reality: Kordell is the one to watch for "Brand Beckham" longevity. His transition from reality star to "Chief Fantaseez Officer" is a masterclass in how to leverage 15 minutes of fame into a career.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the NFL Waiver Wire: If Odell doesn't sign by the end of January 2026, the "retirement" talk he hates so much will become an unavoidable reality.
- Watch the Scripted Space: Keep an eye out for Kordell’s debut in the Keke Palmer project; this will determine if he’s a "personality" or a legitimate actor.
- Check the Commercials: Kordell’s partnership with Cheez-it is just the beginning; expect more "lifestyle" brand deals that focus on his "country boy" Houston roots mixed with LA style.
The Beckham legacy isn't ending; it's just changing mediums. Odell gave the family the platform, and Kordell is building the skyscraper on top of it.