It's setting up to be a big season for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Fresh off a contract extension he said he didn't see coming, Bateman is healthy entering Year 4 and needs to step up to lift 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."
On NFL Network, analyst and former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger gave Bateman a vote of confidence.
"One guy I'd say look out for on this team is Rashod Bateman," Baldinger said. "He was hurt and injured much of his first two years, got much healthier last year. And just watching him practice, this guy is a tremendous route runner, he's got size, he hasn't lost any speed whatsoever. I expect him to be a big focal point of this passing game with Lamar [Jackson] this season."
"This guy is a tremendous route runner, he's got size... I expect him to be a big focal point of this passing game with Lamar this season."@BaldyNFL tells @MikeGarafolo to watch out for a certain @Ravens WR in 2024 👀 pic.twitter.com/y2SBqOqHyy
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 18, 2024
Through three seasons, Bateman has totaled just 93 catches, 1,167 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He has only topped 500 yards once — his rookie year.
As Baldigner noted, Bateman struggled through injuries in his first two seasons in the NFL after being a first-round pick in 2021. As Bateman recently said on the Ravens' "The Lounge" podcast, the start of his career was also beset by 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 extend a receiver with modest production.
The start of Bateman's fourth season has been a mixed bag so far. During minicamp, Bateman reportedly looked frustrated with a lack of connection with Jackson. However, reporters said Jackson and Bateman connected on several passes the next day.
Bateman's honesty about his extension shows an awareness that he hasn't produced as expected so far. Nonetheless, there figures to be a lot of attention sent his way to see if he can have a career year in 2024.
