OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson will have his top big-play wide receiver for the foreseeable future, as the Baltimore Ravens announced Thursday that they had signed Rashod Bateman to an extension.
Bateman’s deal is for three years, $36.75 million and includes $20 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This contract comes a year after Bateman signed a team-friendly two-year extension worth $12.8 million because he didn’t qualify for a fifth-year option after starting 2023 training camp on the “did not report” list. Now, after becoming Baltimore’s most explosive wide receiver, he is under contract through the 2029 season.
Bateman, 25, has gone from being an underachieving 2021 first-round pick to the best deep threat for the NFL’s No. 1 offense in 2024. He was the only player in the NFL last season to average over 16 yards per reception and catch at least nine touchdown passes.
His 16.8 yards per catch ranked third in the NFL last season, behind only Indianapolis‘ Alec Pierce (22.3) and Detroit‘s Jameson Williams (17.3). Bateman’s three touchdown catches of at least 40 yards in 2024 were tied for the most in a season by a Ravens player since at least 2000.
The 27th overall pick in the 2021 draft, Bateman had a challenging start to his career. He missed the first five games of his rookie season after undergoing hernia surgery and was sidelined for the final nine games of his second season after foot surgery.
In March 2023, Bateman called out Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta on social media for the GM’s comment about the team’s disappointing track record for drafting pass catchers. Bateman later said he spoke to DeCosta and “now we’re best friends.”
A year later, Bateman enjoyed a breakthrough season. As the No. 2 wide receiver behind Zay Flowers, Bateman recorded career highs with 756 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches, leading to Thursday’s extension.
