Latest news with #RashodBateman
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rashod Bateman set to go on a 'revenge tour' after signing new deal
Rashod Bateman trusted the process, and the former Minnesota All-American has found his groove with the Ravens, signing a multi-year contract extension for the second consecutive off-season. After producing the best season of his career, Rashod Bateman has agreed to a 3-year, $36.75 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens. The move comes nearly a year after the Ravens signed Bateman to a three-year contract extension eight days before the deadline for exercising his 5th-year option. Following the deal and an exciting OTA session, Bateman told Morgan Adsit that next season will be a "revenge season" after time lost to injury. A 2021 first-round pick, Bateman missed most of his second season after having foot surgery. He was still dealing with the effects in 2023 after finishing with 56 targets, the fourth-most on the team behind Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews. Advertisement The new contract comes after Baltimore turned down a trade offer from the Dallas Cowboys, who eventually acquired George Pickens from the Steelers. Overall, it was his most impactful regular season since getting drafted by Baltimore with career highs in receiving yards (756) and touchdowns (nine) on the second-highest catch total of his career (45) across 17 games. Bateman was signed through the 2026 season. Bateman was the only player in the NFL last season to average at least 16 yards per reception and catch nine or more touchdowns. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens WR Rashod Bateman looking forward to huge 2025 season
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where does Ravens' Rashod Bateman rank among No. 2 wide receivers in the NFL?
After producing the best season of his career, Rashod Bateman agreed to a 3-year, $36.75 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens. The move came nearly a year after the Ravens signed Bateman to a three-year contract extension eight days before the deadline for exercising his 5th-year option. Bateman has developed into one of the NFL's most reliable and efficient route runners, and some in the Baltimore media believe he has elevated his game to be among the top No. 2 options in the NFL. Advertisement During a sit-down with Kevin Oestreicher of the Locked On Ravens podcast, Rick Ritter of CBS Baltimore lumped Bateman in with some of the top No. 2 wide receivers in the NFL. A 2021 first-round pick, Bateman missed most of his second season after having foot surgery. He was still dealing with the effects in 2023 after finishing with 56 targets, the fourth-most on the team behind Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews. Overall, it was his most impactful regular season since getting drafted by Baltimore, with career highs in receiving yards (756) and touchdowns (nine) on the second-highest catch total of his career (45) across 17 games. Bateman is signed through the 2026 season. Advertisement The new contract comes after Baltimore turned down a trade offer from the Dallas Cowboys, which eventually led to the Cowboys acquiring George Pickens from the Steelers. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Rashod Bateman is among the best No. 2 wide receivers in the NFL
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Ravens Player Grateful Cowboys Deal Didn't Happen
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Baltimore Ravens nearly found themselves in a situation where they had to potentially cut ties with the veteran wide receiver, Rashod Bateman. Before inking a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, Bateman was rumored to be a target for the Dallas Cowboys. Bateman was likely open to making his way to Texas, but at the end of the day, he's thankful to remain in his current situation with the Ravens. "I went through a lot of things with the Cowboys and all of that with my contract," Bateman told The Athletic. "There was a time when I didn't know what was going to happen. (The Cowboys talks) were a thing, for sure. It was a possibility. I don't want to deny that." Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, MarylandBaltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta kept Bateman in a positive space mentally and ensured he would be taken care of long-term. "DeCosta, he's always making magic work," Bateman added, "and he made it work. And I'm thankful for that." Being in the NFL since 2021, Bateman has played in 51 games across four seasons. When he was a rookie, Bateman caught 46 passes for 515 yards and one touchdown. In year two, Bateman appeared in just six games, catching 15 passes for 285 yards and two scores. Last year, Bateman had his best season yet. The 25-year-old received 72 targets throughout the season. He caught 45 passes, totaling 756 yards in the air. He scored a career-high nine touchdowns. The Cowboys' interest in trading for a standout WR2 was evident back in the spring. Although they were in the market for Bateman, reports suggested that the talks did not go very far. Bateman's perspective tells a slightly different story, as it seems there was some real smoke there, but the Ravens took care of business on their end. Dallas eventually did the same. The Cowboys made a call to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had George Pickens available on the block. Pickens recently wrapped up his third season with the Steelers. He produced 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns during his tenure in Pittsburgh. The Steelers agreed to send the veteran wideout, along with a 2027 sixth-round pick, to the Cowboys. Pittsburgh landed a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange. While the Cowboys attempted to kick the tires on acquiring Bateman, a little patience put them in a position to feel confident about their 24-year-old standout wideout. Clearly, Bateman is thrilled to remain in his position as well. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rashod Bateman: Trade to Cowboys was a possibility, thankful it worked out with Ravens
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman signed a three-year contract extension with the Ravens last month, but his return to the team for the 2025 season wasn't a sure thing earlier in the offseason. A report in May said the Cowboys looked into trading for Bateman and Bateman confirmed that he was apprised of that interest. That report said the talks didn't go far, but Bateman said "it was a possibility" that he would be on the move to Dallas before he and the Ravens pivoted to hammering out a new deal. Advertisement Bateman said he's "thankful" that General Manager Eric DeCosta was able to work things out. 'That's the first thing I told him: I don't want to go anywhere else. 'I know you've got a lot of stuff to work through and we'll figure it out when we figure it out,'' Bateman said, via Jeff Zrebiec of 'It took time, but it takes time with a lot of people's contracts. He had a lot of contracts to get done, and maybe more to get done in the future. To be a priority for him in that way is important. He shows he values me.' The Cowboys eventually looked elsewhere in the AFC North for receiver help and traded for George Pickens, so the Ravens won't have to deal with him as they try for another division title later this year.
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman: ‘There's a lot of unfinished business here'
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is fine discussing it now. He's just a few weeks removed from signing a three-year, $36.75 million contract extension, so his future in Baltimore suddenly feels secure. Yet, Bateman acknowledged after the team's final minicamp practice that there was a period this offseason when he wondered if he had played his last game as a Raven. Advertisement Bateman, a 2021 first-round pick, wanted a new contract with the Ravens. General manager Eric DeCosta, meanwhile, was keeping his options open — and those options included trading the 25-year-old receiver who was coming off his best season. The Dallas Cowboys emerged as a very interested suitor. Bateman was apprised of the trade talks, and he maintains that there was some traction between the two sides. 'I went through a lot of things with the Cowboys and all of that with my contract,' Bateman said. 'There was a time when I didn't know what was going to happen. (The Cowboys talks) were a thing, for sure. It was a possibility. I don't want to deny that. But you know, DeCosta, he's always making magic work, and he made it work. And I'm thankful for that.' Bateman wanted a contract more commensurate with his performance in 2024, when he caught 45 passes for a career-high 756 yards and nine touchdowns, played all 17 regular-season games for the first time in his career and added two more touchdowns in the playoffs. If the Ravens weren't willing to give him one, he was ready to embrace the idea of a trade. But he also wanted to make sure DeCosta knew he wanted to stay. 'That's the first thing I told him: I don't want to go anywhere else. 'I know you've got a lot of stuff to work through and we'll figure it out when we figure it out,'' Bateman recalled of their conversation. 'It took time, but it takes time with a lot of people's contracts. He had a lot of contracts to get done, and maybe more to get done in the future. To be a priority for him in that way is important. He shows he values me.' For the first time in his young career, Bateman will enter an NFL season void of drama surrounding his situation. He isn't rehabbing an injury. There isn't skepticism about his offensive role, his ability to stay healthy or his chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. He's under contract through 2029. Advertisement The Athletic spoke with Bateman to get his thoughts on his contract extension, his quarterback and the Ravens' chances of getting over the playoff hump. Questions and answers were edited for clarity. What did it feel like to get a third contract from this team, particularly at the position you play? It's an honor, honestly, and it's a blessing. I'm blessed to be here with this team. I truly didn't want to go anywhere else, and it shows that the team believes in me and we have the same love and respect for one another. I just feel like there's a lot of unfinished business here. I want to keep making my mark here and keep investing in this team like they've invested in me. Was there a point in your career where you felt there was no way that you'd be entering your fifth year in Baltimore? It's crazy that I'm in year five already, with everything that has gone on. You never know what's going to happen, whether you are going to make it through your rookie deal or when your time is up. But there's a lot of comfort that comes with being here, and I'm thankful for that as well. How long did it take you to transition from the disappointment of how the season ended for the team to being proud of what you accomplished individually and how you stayed healthy throughout? I don't know if any of us are over it. I know that last game was in January, so it's only been a couple of months. We definitely have had time to digest what happened or how it went down, but we still have a sour taste in our mouths. It's kind of crazy that we open up the season with (the Buffalo Bills). Hopefully, we can go up there and get our licks back. What do you think has to happen for this team to get over the hump and take the final step to a Super Bowl? As cliché as it sounds, coaches always tell us from a young age that it's all about the little things. I think we've proven that we can play with anybody. We have some of the best players. I just think in the important times, in those clutch moments, all of us have to lock in and do everything right. Advertisement There were a lot of missing variables for us as a team. For us, (as) an offense, we didn't (perform) to the best of our abilities, and it cost us at an important time. We know that. We know that we have to be better in certain areas, and that's been our focus. The coaches are demanding perfection out of us, and we're demanding perfection out of each other. I think we're heading in the right direction with that. You've talked quite a few times about struggling mentally with the injuries and everything else early in your career. How much did not having to deal with all of the negativity contribute to what you were able to accomplish last year? It helped me get through last year. There were nicks and things that I was able to play through. Being able to go through what I went through, I guess my pain tolerance is pretty high right now. I just think it's trained me to be prepared for those moments and never look back. Now, any time I get the chance to work out or train or step on the practice field, not that I didn't, but I'm making sure that I'm giving it my all every single rep and every opportunity I get. I just want to continue to make plays. With so many questions about your health, your future in Baltimore and your role now behind you, how does that set you up for this season? I guess I've been on both sides of it now, the good side and the rough side. It definitely feels good to go into the season with the city behind you and the support and the team knowing what you can do. We're in a good place, and the fans are coming back around. It's been good to see everything kind of come around and do a 360. I'm sure there was some frustration on your side with some of the criticism you were getting and what fans were saying about you early in your career. What does it feel like to now have the fans on your side, and is it tough not to be spiteful and say, 'No, no, no, don't jump on the bandwagon now'? It's tough not to say that with your own community, but when it comes to the fans, it was different. It was death threats and … Really, death threats? Yeah, to my mom. It was a crazy time, but I understand that a lot of that comes from wanting your team to play well. It definitely was a rough time. I've never experienced nothing like that, and my family never experienced nothing like that. There's definitely mixed emotions about it, but I'm definitely glad to be on the other side of it now. People may not understand the pressure that comes with being an early-round receiver for an organization that has struggled to develop wideouts. How would you explain what it's like to be a young receiver in Baltimore, and how have you dealt with that? There's a lot of things that you can't control and a lot of things that are out of your hands. You have to come to work with the mindset of getting better individually. You get better individually, you're going to automatically help the team. You just have to be able to have that mindset of being clear-minded and focused and being able to stay true to yourself. Advertisement There's a lot of different things that go on outside the game of football that (leaks) into the game of football. Being able to navigate those things and having somebody in your corner. We definitely have the teammates to help out with that. All of us are pretty close. It's kind of crazy. It feels like a college team. Everybody here can pick up the phone, communicate well with one another. It's definitely a good team to be a part of. What's the one criticism of Lamar Jackson that you're flabbergasted by? Honestly, whatever they say about Lamar is kind of mind-boggling to us in general. If you watched the dude's highlight tape in college, he threw the ball really, really well. You watch in the NFL, and he's throwing the ball better than most quarterbacks since he's been playing. I think they are definitely caught up in him not getting to the Super Bowl, but honestly, that's hard to even say. There's 11 people playing, and it's hard to put it all on the quarterback, even though that's the leader of the team. If you really watch football, Lamar does a lot. He gives people jobs, and he saves people's jobs. Lamar is a special, special generational talent. How much has your chemistry grown with Jackson over the years, and do you feel like there's another level it can get to? I feel like our chemistry has always been good. Even when I got hurt, after my rookie year, I went and worked out with him that offseason. Even before we got to where we're at now, we still had a connection. It really was my injuries and then his injuries. I think this past year, it was really my first training camp that I was able to get through. When you're playing with a quarterback like Lamar, you can go through routes … but you really have to get game-like situations and practice with him. I think that's really when it's beneficial. That paid off for us in the long run. How will you spend the next few weeks before training camp? I'm going straight back to training, honestly. I don't have any trips or vacations planned. I'll be getting ready for the season, and I'm eager to come back better than when I came. I'm honestly not interested in getting on a plane and traveling far right now. I'm just going to lock in and enjoy Arizona and where I train at and come back in the building ready to go. Is this the most talented team the Ravens have had in your time here? This is the best team that I've ever been on in the NFL, all around and especially now with Jaire (Alexander). We always have the pieces. It's on us now to go out, compete and just do it.
