The Baltimore Ravens have locked up wide receiver Rashod Bateman for the long haul, but things nearly went in a totally different direction.
According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Bateman and the Ravens agreed on a three-year, $36.75 million contract extension, which comes after Bateman had a breakout season in 2024.
The former first-round pick tallied career-highs in receiving yards (756) and touchdowns (nine) and continues to come into his own in the NFL.
But before the contract extension, the two sides nearly parted ways. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bateman was initially denied an extension and was granted permission to seek a trade.
Fowler adds that the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers were interested before the Ravens pulled back and decided to give Bateman the new contract he was seeking.
“What led to his contract extension was that he was almost traded during this offseason,” Fowler reported. “He went to the Ravens, wanted a new deal, they essentially said no, but they gave him permission to seek a trade.
“So, he went out on the open market, talked to teams, and I was told there were several involved: the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers. So, he saw that he had a market, the Ravens saw that, and said, ‘Okay, we’ll just pay you instead. We won’t trade you,” Fowler concluded.
Talk about a total 180.
The Ravens valuing Bateman the way they do is understandable. Trading him away would have left Baltimore with a big void at wide receiver, and would have left the Ravens depending more on an aging DeAndre Hopkins and other question marks.
Bateman was jumped on the depth chart by Zay Flowers, who is Lamar Jackson’s clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. However, Bateman is a strong No. 2 in the offense.
Now, Bateman will look to build upon his career year with another standout showing, and the Ravens hope he can help them get over the hump to a Super Bowl.
