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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
If you want an indication exactly how bad things went for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman in 2025, take into account that, by all indications, there were exactly ZERO feelers for Bateman at the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
That’s despite every team in the NFL understanding the Ravens would have never been more likely to unload Bateman, who signed a 3-year, $36.75 million contract before the season and responded with 19 receptions for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games.
In any universe, that math just doesn’t add up — and was a large factor in why the Ravens struggled to finish 8-9 overall and missed the playoffs. Not to mention Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh wound up fired after 18 seasons.
With a new head coach in Baltimore in former assistant Jesse Minter, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz put Bateman at the top of his list of NFL players who need a “Change of Scenery” in 2026.
“The idea that Bateman needs a change of scenery might be unexpected considering the Ravens signed him to a three-year, $36.75 million extension before the 2025 season,” Schatz wrote on Thursday. “But he had a very disappointing campaign, with just 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. A part of his problem last season was that opponents treated Bateman as the Ravens’ WR1 because Zay Flowers was in the slot being covered by a nickelback. Bateman just isn’t good enough to get away from that coverage, and he might flourish with a new team for whom he can be more of a complementary player.”
Bateman’s Name Popped Up in Trade Rumors
Bateman’s name was popular in NFL trade rumors ahead of the November trade deadline.
At one point, CBS Sports NFL reporter Garrett Podell had Bateman as a good fit for the Los Angeles Rams.
“With Pro Bowl wide receiver Puka Nacua suffering an ankle injury in a Week 6 win against the Baltimore Ravens, it would be wise for Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead to bolster quarterback Matthew Stafford’s receiving core,” Podell wrote. “Wide receiver Rashod Bateman (11 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown in six games this season) has become a forgotten man in the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens’ offense, especially with Jackson sidelined. Snead should give the Ravens a call to see if they would be willing to exchange Bateman for a pick or two.”
Bateman’s Struggles Reflected His Team
While there isn’t really anyone on Baltimore’s offense who can say they had a great year, Bateman’s year was especially difficult.
Selected at No. 21 overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Ravens, Bateman missed 16 games due to injuries over his first 2 seasons. He had a mini-breakout season in 2024 with 45 receptions for 756 yards and 9 touchdowns while playing in every regular season game for the first time in his career.
Bateman’s contract would probably is the biggest sticking point in any deal moving forward.
The Ravens don’t have a voidable year in Bateman’s contract until 2028 and while he only counts $4.548 million against the salary cap in 2025, that number goes up to $6.298 million in 2026 and $10.9 million in 2027.
Paying that much money for a below average WR2 option just doesn’t make sense — not for the Ravens or any other NFL team.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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