The Baltimore Ravens have shown faith in Rashod Bateman, and he’s been stepping up to the challenge.
For much of his career, Bateman has had a mix of good and bad seasons, struggling to become the consistent receiver the Ravens hoped for when they drafted him in the first round in 2021.
However, this season, his health and performance have finally come together, giving Lamar Jackson another reliable target, one that Jackson is starting to trust more.
Last week, in a tied game with third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Jackson threw a pass to Bateman in the back of the end zone. Bateman had also caught a couple of passes earlier in the drive. The Ravens went on to beat Cincinnati 35-34.
“I think this offense is definitely a living unknown,” Bateman said. “We’ve got guys all over the place that can make plays and we continue to show that.”
When Baltimore drafted Bateman, the Ravens were still working on building their offense, trying to add as much talent as they could to help Jackson. Bateman’s rookie season was cut short by a groin injury, causing him to miss the first five games. Then in 2022, a foot injury limited him to just six games.
He was able to play a full season in 2023, but still only had 32 catches. The Ravens had also drafted another first-round receiver, Zay Flowers, who quickly became the team’s top wideout, leading some to wonder if Bateman and Jackson would ever develop a strong connection.
But the Ravens weren’t ready to give up on Bateman. Instead of just picking up his fifth-year option, they gave him a contract extension through 2026 — a move that surprised Bateman.
“This came out of nowhere,” he admitted.
This season, Bateman has already caught 31 passes for 501 yards — just 14 yards shy of his career high. He’s also doubled his previous best with four touchdown catches.
“We’re just balling right now. We’re just playing football,” Jackson said after Bateman caught a 59-yard touchdown pass — part of a 121-yard game — against Tampa Bay last month. “He’s been doing a good job at getting open — it’s just getting him involved with what’s going on.
We have a lot of dynamic guys on the offense, sometimes it’s hard for him to get the ball, but how it’s been going each and every week, defense’s eyes are on everybody. It’s like, ‘Who do we have to guard? Who do we have to double?’ And in one-on-one matchups, I love our receivers.”
The Ravens don’t need Bateman to be an All-Pro. Flowers has been strong in his second season, tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are key contributors, and the addition of running back Derrick Henry has helped turn Baltimore into the top-ranked offense in the league.
Jackson is happy to spread the ball around, which creates chances for many different players to contribute. Last week, Tylan Wallace had an 84-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
Baltimore also recently added receiver Diontae Johnson, who will face his former team when the Ravens play at Pittsburgh this week. When a team is as successful offensively as Baltimore, it’s truly a team effort.
“The media said that me and Lamar don’t have a connection, but we do,” Bateman said recently. “I think we’re doing a good job of showing it this season, with a lot of work put in that goes into that.”
