The Baltimore Ravens just made history by giving Rashod Bateman a contract extension until 2026. The news about the wide receiver's new contract broke on Wednesday, April 25.
General manager Eric DeCosta made the following statement: “We are pleased to announce that we have extended Rashod Bateman’s contract through the 2026 season. Congratulations to ‘Bate’ and his family. This is good day for the Ravens.”
It's somewhat surprising that Bateman is staying with the Ravens, considering his struggles with injuries and drops since being chosen 27th overall in the 2021 NFL draft.
Despite these issues, DeCosta and the front office felt comfortable allowing Bateman to make franchise history. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley described it as, “The Ravens have picked six wide receivers in the first round in their history. Rashod Bateman is the first to get a second contract with Baltimore.”
Bateman earned this distinction just “eight days before the deadline on whether to exercise his 5th-year option.” per Hensley.
The Ravens deciding to bet on Bateman’s long-term potential implies two things. First, it ends any trade talk involving the wideout.
Second, Bateman staying put means the Ravens may not be players for a new receiver during the early rounds of this year’s draft.
The Ravens are taking a risk by not trading Rashod Bateman
While a trade is still possible, committing until 2026 indicates the Ravens didn’t just give Bateman a new contract as a precursor to dealing him. Instead, the Ravens seem to be taking a gamble on the 24-year-old’s ability to mature into the playmaker they hoped they were getting in the first round three years ago.
Bateman’s skill-set has remained attractive mainly because of his legitimate field-stretching speed. He’s a true vertical threat who can help Lamar Jackson improve his deep passing.
The two have created big plays on the rare occasions they’ve been in-sync. Like when Bateman scored a 55-yard touchdown against the New York Jets’ defense in Week 1 of the 2022 season. Throughout his career, Bateman has averaged a solid 12.5 yards per reception, according to Pro Football Reference
The problem has been staying healthy, with groin, foot and hamstring injuries.
keeping him out of 17 games in three years. Drops have also been an issue, with 10 passes getting away from Bateman since he entered the pros. If he can ever put it all together, a healthy, fully focused Bateman would be the ideal complement to other Ravens receivers. Both Nelson Agholor
are more dynamic underneath and from the slot. Zay Flowers and Bateman is the burner on the outside whose presence could deter the Ravens from drafting a flanker early. The Ravens might not need to draft a wide receiver early on
Luckily, it’s a deep wide receiver class this year, so the Ravens could justify leaving the position to the middle rounds. This strategy would mean overlooking a potential
dark-horse, first-round candidate
who’s been compared to Philadelphia Eagles’ two picks in the fourth round means DeCosta can look for a steal for the passing game. A prospect like North Carolina’s Devontez Walker would also add some straight-line speed to Jackson’s supporting cast. Another option would be to roll the dice on USC’s Brenden Rice, son of the NFL’s all-time receiving leader, Jerry Rice. Pro Bowler A.J. Brown.
Owning One of those possibilities would become part of Flowers, Agholor and Bateman to provide the Ravens with an interesting group at an important position. However, there are still many uncertainties, depending on Bateman's ability to stay healthy and Flowers' progress after his impressive rookie season in 2023. The Baltimore Ravens made a significant choice regarding the future of wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Either of those prospects would join Flowers, Agholor and Bateman to give the Ravens an intriguing core at a key position. There would still be a lot of ifs, though, based on Bateman staying healthy and Flowers building on his prolific 2023 rookie campaign.
