Following the departure of Odell Beckham Jr., the Baltimore Ravens are doubling down on their homegrown talent.
Per the team, the Ravens have extended WR Rashod Bateman through 2026:
Why Now?
This move will generate plenty of discourse around the Ravens fanbase, as Bateman was headed into the final year of his rookie deal, with a decision looming on whether or not the team would pick up his fifth-year option for 2025.
That move is reserved only for first-round picks, which Bateman was during the 2021 NFL Draft. And while others at his position and in that class include proven producers like Ja'Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle, things haven't been as dynamic for Bateman and Baltimore.
Plagued by a variety of injuries over the first two years of his career, Bateman turned that around in 2023, starting a career-high 12 games.
Even still, the production was nothing to write home about, as Bateman recorded a mere 367 receiving yards on 32 receptions to pair with one score.
Perhaps in line for a bigger role this season, Baltimore is betting on the potential of Bateman with this move, which is understandable given that he's still only 24 years old.
2024 will tell how close he comes to reaching that potential.
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