MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — This was what all those Odell Beckham Jr. fans were waiting for.
Perhaps it was what head coach John Harbaugh was waiting for, as well: a chance, a real opportunity to turn back the clock with a vintage highlight to allow all of Beckham’s many supporters to cry out, “See, he’s still got it!’’
It was late in the second quarter of Saturday’s 26-3 preseason victory over the Dolphins, and the Giants fans on the scene at Hard Rock Stadium let out an audible gasp when Jameis Winston looked into the end zone from the Miami 14-yard line.
Beckham got behind cornerback Miles Battle and Winston put the ball where it needed to be.
It was about to happen.
Beckham leaped into the air at the back of the end zone. A touchdown felt imminent, and that would have been something to rekindle those OBJ memories.
Alas, it did not happen.
The ball sailed between Beckham’s hands and deflected away, as he could not make a grab that would have been fairly routine for him years ago during his heyday with the Giants.
Beckham, clearly frustrated, went to his knees and bent backward as far as he could, his helmet nearly scraping the ground.
It was a tough moment for the 33-year-old, who did not play in the NFL last season and is looking to make a comeback with the franchise that made him a first-round pick in 2014.
“He was in the air a long time,’’ Harbaugh told The Post. “He got up — way up. I know he would say, ‘I wake up at 4 in the morning and I’m making that play.’ He knows he can make that play, and it’s a really tough play to make.
“Making it would have just been spectacular. I looked at that play as a positive in his favor. I thought it was impressive where he was at, going to get the ball. I think he’s capable of still making that play.’’
Beckham feels the same way.
“I’m pissed,’’ he said. “This is the one that keeps me up at night. It’s a play I know I can make. I just felt like I was hanging so long. You take it on the chin like a man. The confidence is still there. I know I’ll make that play the next time.”
Darius Slayton, Calvin Austin III and rookie Malachi Fields started at wide receiver, but Beckham was given plenty of opportunities in the first half. He made a nifty move on cornerback Ethan Bonner along the left sideline to turn a short gain after the catch into a 12-yard pickup. After he failed to come down with the ball in the end zone, Beckham hauled in a 5-yard reception to set up a Dominic Zvada field goal as time expired in the first half.
Harbaugh has called Beckham one of his favorite players — they were together in 2023 with the Ravens — but personal feelings will not dictate roster spots. Beckham has stayed healthy and on the field — a major prerequisite — but has yet to make a play to separate himself from the other wide receivers in the room.
“I don’t care if it was higher, lower, wherever it was at, that’s on me,’’ Beckham said. “I feel like if the ball is anywhere near me, if it touches my fingertips, I’m supposed to catch it.’’
He nearly did. Almost.
