Baltimore Ravens
Getty
Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Rashod Bateman #7 of the Baltimore Ravens after Bateman caught a touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens have opened up their 2026 NFL offseason with a blockbuster move. Maxx Crosby was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
Crosby, who has been one of the most underrated defensive superstars in the league, immediately takes the Ravens a big step closer to Super Bowl contention. However, there are other moves the team must make in order to solidify their contender status.
One area of need comes at the wide receiver position. DeAndre Hopkins is set to be a free agent after playing the 2025 season on a one-year deal. It was clear that Lamar Jackson could use a go-to target for next year.
With that in mind, Baltimore might need to make another move to open up some cap space at the position. A potential $36.7 million offseason trade has been suggested.
Baltimore Ravens Linked to Potential $36.7 Million Trade Option
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler unloaded a lot of information about the NFL rumor mill on Sunday morning. When it came to the Ravens, he suggested that wide receiver Rashod Bateman could be a potential trade candidate.
In addition to Bateman, Fowler named quite a few wide receivers who could be on the trade market this offseason.
“Also, Brown isn’t the only receiver potentially available. Baltimore’s Rashod Bateman, Los Angeles’ Quentin Johnston and Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks have come up in my talks,” Fowler wrote. “Teams have interest in Green Bay’s Jayden Reed, but I don’t sense the Packers would trade him at this point.”
Bateman is currently heading into the second year of a three-year contract that he signed with Baltimore. However, there are quite a few teams around the NFL who need help at the wide receiver position. If the Ravens make him available, Bateman would have a market.
Baltimore could look to bring in a bigger name like Mike Evans or Romeo Doubs this offseason. In order to swing that kind of move, Bateman might need to be traded.
Taking a Look at Rashod Bateman’s Tenure With the Ravens
Since being drafted with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Bateman has shown flashes of big-time potential. Those flashes simply haven’t turned into consistency.
Throughout his five-year NFL career thus far, Bateman has played in 65 games. He has caught 157 passes for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Clearly, those aren’t the numbers the Ravens were hoping to receive from the 26-year-old wideout. Bateman has not become the clear-cut playmaker he was expected to be coming out of an impressive college career with Minnesota.
Bateman could still end up being part of the long-term puzzle in Baltimore. The Ravens certainly do not need to trade him. However, he’s an expendable piece if a move is needed to do something else.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about Baltimore as the offseason progresses. The front office is clearly ready to be aggressive in pursuit of a championship. Bateman is a name to keep an eye on as free agency gets underway.