Ravens WR Appreciates Role Teammates Played in Big Payday

“No matter what I went through, [Lamar] always knew I could be a weapon for him,” Bateman said. “He always told me on the side, always supported me, even last year before I got paid, he looked at me before the season started and said ‘We gonna get you paid’. And shout out to him because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him trusting me and believing in me to go out there and make plays.”

Jackson believed that Bateman would break out in a big way before he even believed it himself and the unwavering faith his franchise quarterback showed in him “meant a lot.”

“We got [general managers] and owners but in the football world, Lamar is technically our boss,” Bateman said. “If you don’t treat it like that, in this league, you’re in for a rude awakening. You got to have respect for your quarterback and that’s how you’re going to continue to develop that chemistry and continue to win.”

In the modern game, the best offenses usually have two high-quality starting receivers with game-breaking potential. Being paired with a partner like Zay Flowers who is the Ravens' unquestioned No. 1 overall pass catcher gives Bateman more one-on-one opportunities to create separation and get open since opposing teams often either double-team or roll their coverage to wherever he is on most passing plays.

That was the case early and often last season which paved the way for Bateman to be not only one of the most explosive receivers in the league last year but also one of the most efficient. Last season, he ranked first among all NFL pass catchers with 40-plus catches with 77.8% of his receptions resulting in a first down or touchdown (35 of 45).

“I ain’t never seen a receiver like him,” Bateman said. “I know he’ll continue to shine and bring his element to the game. That’s my bro. If it wasn’t for Zay, I wouldn’t have got paid.”

Bateman said “it felt good” to prove not only himself right about the heights he could achieve but those who never stopped believing in and standing up for him.

“They go out in the media and speak on me well and speak highly of me so to be able to go out there and back that up for them, I think is what is most important to me,” Bateman said.