It's no secret that the 2024 NFL season is an important one for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
It's been a rocky start to Bateman's career, with the 2021 first-round pick struggling with injuries and producing modest stats through the first three years of his career.
Bateman's best season came as a rookie, when he totaled 46 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown. He hasn't exceeded those numbers since, except for 2022, when he had two touchdowns.
Now, fresh off a modest, two-year, $12 million extension — which surprised Bateman himself — Bateman needs to prove his talent to help elevate the Ravens' passing game.
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso called it a "make-or-break" year for Bateman, saying another disappointing season would label Bateman a "bust."
Trapasso wrote:
"Add a litany of injuries, and you have an exquisite recipe for disappointment, which is precisely what Bateman has been through three seasons with the Ravens. His career-high in catches is 46, which came as a rookie. Same with his 515 yards. He tested as a slightly above-average athlete and was a production machine at a young age at Minnesota.
"While new offensive coordinator Todd Monken was believed to be hired to usher in a new, more progressive, pass-happier philosophy in Baltimore, mostly due to plenty of leads held by the Ravens in the second half a season ago, Lamar Jackson only averaged one more attempt per contest compared to 2022. Yet, his completion rate jumped, as did his yards-per-attempt average.
"With 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers and perennial stud tight end Mark Andrews now the primary options in Baltimore, the typical first-round pick pressure has been alleviated from Bateman. But Baltimore needs to see more than 350-500 yards for him in Year 4, or his bust status will be cemented."
As Bateman recently said on the Ravens' "The Lounge" podcast, the start of his career was beset by injuries and some personal, off-the-field losses that affected his mindset.
Bateman said he missed most of training camp last season with a foot injury. Although he was healthy enough to start the year, he was behind other receivers in understanding the offense and was playing out of position on the field.
Bateman admitted that he felt he hadn't earned his contract extension, but later convinced himself that he had with his hard work and training. The Ravens obviously agreed to sign a receiver with modest production to an extension.
And though that extension prevents Bateman from being in a contract year, Trapasso is right that this does feel like a year that could cement a label for Bateman.
