The Baltimore Ravens have doubled down on their belief in wide receiver Rashod Bateman, despite the first-round pick’s mediocre production to this point.
Baltimore on Thursday announced it had signed Bateman to a three-year extension. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $36.75 million and features $20 million guaranteed.
Bateman was a first-round pick of the Ravens in the 2021 NFL Draft after shining in college at Minnesota with route-running ability and catch-point prowess that allowed him to consistently produce big plays. He averaged over 20 yards per reception in the 2019 season for the Golden Gophers and 13 yards per reception in the pandemic shortened season of 2020.
But Bateman is still to realize his potential at the NFL level.
He started just nine games across his first two seasons owing to injury and had just 367 receiving yards and one touchdown in 16 games in 2023.
However, his 2024 season, the first in which he played every game, was much more encouraging.
Bateman finished with 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at an average of 16.8 yards per reception.
It is a second extension in as many years for Bateman, who previously signed one through the 2026 season.
This latest new deal keeps him tied to the Ravens through 2029, and Baltimore will hope Bateman can take another step forward in 2025 to make an average annual salary of $12.25 million quickly look like a bargain.
