Rashod Bateman did not see extension coming, wants to prove ‘star’ potential

The former first-round and newly extended wideout plans to put it all together and stay on the field starting in 2024.

When the Baltimore Ravens selected former University of Minnesota standout wide receiver Rashod Bateman in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, expectations were high. He was viewed as one of the most complete prospects at the position, capable of being a threat at every level of the defense with inside-outside versatility, elusive run-after-catch ability, crisp route-running, strong hands and field-stretching speed.

Unfortunately, availability has been his only weakness since entering the league, causing him to miss extended time or be hampered in each of his first three seasons. Despite his struggles with the injury bug that has included core muscle surgery and a Lisfranc foot injury, the Ravens opted to bet on the flashes of explosive playmaking from Bateman, signing him to a two-year extension worth $15.25 million that he officially signed on Monday.

In an interview with Glenn Clark Radio on Wednesday, Bateman talked about a myriad of topics including the new deal he inked, his desire to reward the Ravens for their faith in him and how he still believes there is a much higher level he can reach.

Getting extended despite having only played in 35 of a possible 52 career games including the postseason in three years came as a bit of a surprise to many Ravens fans and even Bateman himself apparently.

“It feels good. Definitely didn’t see it coming, but it definitely means a lot,” Bateman said. “Just knowing that they want me here and having them in my corner, having the team trust me, having some type of security. It’s kind of like a fresh start for me. I’m definitely excited, looking forward to it. I’ve got a lot to prove.”

His desire to prove himself right about what he can be and the kind of impact he can have in an offense is much greater than any inclination he might have to want to prove his doubters and skeptics wrong.

“I want to prove to myself that I can actually be a star,” Bateman said. “Be someone the team can depend on, [be] reliable. I’ve been that, but my career took some hits, some ups and downs, but I’m in a good spot right now. I feel good, I’m healthy, excited, all my chips in the basket. So it should be a good year.”

Bateman isn’t fueled by his critics of which there have been many both within the media and throughout the fan base. However, he understands where the sometimes overly harsh criticism of him comes from given where he was drafted, what was expected of him and what he has struggled with health-wise since entering the league.

“I don’t blame anybody for feeling how they feel,” Bateman said. “I was a first-round draft pick and there’s expectations. … Those are the cards I got dealt and it’s tough. I’ve never been through it before, but it definitely made me stronger, made me appreciate the game more than I did before. … I feel like everybody knows what I can do, so I just have to go out and do it now.”

There have been several reels of Bateman running crisp and sometimes absolutely filthy routes to gain almost instantaneous separation and get wide open numerous times last year all over social media.

The connection between him and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson just wasn’t there in 2023 and Bateman took full responsibility for the lack of natural feel he had with the two-time league MVP because of his unavailability prior to the start of the season as a result of his extended recovering from his 2022 foot injury.

“Lamar trusts me. I’ve trained with Lamar, I’ve worked out with Lamar,” Bateman said. “But last year, we did not have that connection. And that’s due to me, my injury, I wasn’t able to train with him in the offseason. I missed all of training camp. For a quarterback, it’s tough. It’s a feeling thing —you got to feel your receivers.”

Bateman made franchise history by becoming the first of their six receivers who were taken in the first round to sign a second contract with the Ravens. With the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency who he began to out-snap and out-play down the stretch starting in Week 15, he is poised to have a bigger role in the passing game moving forward and could form one of the best duos in the league with 2023 first-rounder Zay Flowers who broke several franchise rookie records last year.

The Ravens coaching staff and front office are extremely high on Bateman and can’t wait to see what he can do with a clean bill of health, a fresh start and playing in an expanded more featured role moving forward.

“Rashod is going to get opportunities this year,” head coach John Harbaugh said at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. “He ran routes really well. He worked super hard. He was healthy for the first time – even as the year went on, he got healthier, and you could see it in his play. The ball got to him, [and] when it did, he made some great plays. The ball is going to get to him a lot more next year. He’s going to be ready to go.”