Odell Beckham Jr. feels freed.

Being traded to the Cleveland Browns from the Giants back in March has allowed Beckham to feel liberated from what he called “politics” that kept him from reaching his full potential on and off the field during his time with the team.

In an interview with Complex, Beckham opened up about what has him so excited about his fresh start with the Browns:

I can’t wait to get going. I just felt with the Giants I was just stuck at a place that wasn’t working for me anymore. I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to reach my full potential there; mentally, physically, spiritually, everything I felt capable of doing, I just couldn’t see it happening there. So I think allowing me to be in an environment where I can be myself and give it a different approach, I feel like my football will benefit. I’m just excited about being able to play football again and not have to deal with all the other stuff and politics that came with my previous role.

At times in 2018, Beckham appeared frustrated on the sideline by the play of quarterback Eli Manning and tensions seemed to mount behind the scenes with head coach Pat Shurmur over how the Giants handled the star wide receiver’s injured quad late last season.

Beckham seems thrilled in his new home, catching passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield, alongside friend and fellow former LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry, while the Giants have rebuilt the wide receiving corps around Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate.

While Shepard admits that it’s still “weird” around Quest Diagnostics Training Center without Beckham, he feels that the way 2018 ended has prepared him for what lies ahead this season and beyond.

“I felt like last season, with Odell going out for the last five games kind of prepared me for what I was going to get into this year," Shepard said. "And the season before when he went down with the ankle injury. I feel like that prepared me for this moment.”

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL