ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Baltimore Ravens permitted Rashod Bateman to seek a trade before signing the wide receiver to a new three-year, $36 million contract extension.
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 signed a three-year, $36.75 million contract extension with Baltimore. 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.
The deal almost didn’t happen, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has an interesting report that suggests Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta initially balked at an extension for Bateman, and gave the wide receivers and his representatives permission to seek a trade.
Bateman’s team of agents looked around and came back with several options, thus forcing the Ravens’ hand, and a new contract for their client.
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.
The new contract comes after Baltimore turned down a trade offer from the Dallas Cowboys, who eventually acquired George Pickens from the Steelers. Fowler reports that New England and Green Bay were teams interested in a deal.
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.
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