Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman continues to be surprised by getting a contract extension this offseason.
The Ravens gave Bateman a two-year, $12.8 million extension, according to Spotrac. At OTAs, Bateman admitted the extension "came out of nowhere."
While speaking on the Ravens' "The Lounge" podcast, Bateman doubled down on those comments, saying he didn't see it coming.
"I got an extension," Bateman said, excitedly. "Which nobody thought was going to happen — myself included!"
Bateman, a first-round pick in 2021, has had three injury-plagued years with the Ravens. Though he played 16 games last year, he missed most of training camp with a foot injury, which he said on "The Lounge" set him back once the season started.
As Bateman also detailed on the podcast, he also suffered several personal losses off the field that affected his mindset.
As a result, Bateman's production has lagged. Bateman has only topped 500 receiving yards once (in his rookie year) and has just four career touchdowns.
Bateman said he was bowling in Texas when his agent called and said the Ravens were "potentially" interested in getting an extension done. Bateman said he had thought he might get traded and was trying not to sweat whether the extension happened or not.
"I just felt like I haven't earned [the extension]," Bateman said. "I want to feel like I have earned it." However, Bateman said he changed his mindset by reminding himself that he's earned it by practicing and playing hard, despite the lack of statistical production.
"I definitely didn't expect it at all," Bateman said.
Bateman is something of an X factor for the Ravens this year. The Ravens could use help at wide receiver — they didn't sign any receivers in free agency, instead relying on the draft and turning Malik Cunningham from a quarterback to a receiver. If Bateman can live up to his draft position this season, he could elevate the Ravens' passing attack.
The early returns have been mixed. Bateman reportedly had a rough Day 2 during minicamp, with Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun reporting that Bateman looked frustrated when he wasn't targeted by Lamar Jackson. However, Bateman reportedly rebounded in Day 3 and caught numerous passes.
The Ravens obviously feel that Bateman will improve in 2024. However, another lackluster year could make the extension one of the more puzzling moves of the Ravens offseason.
