After a breakout 2024 season, the Baltimore Ravens signed Rashod Bateman to a three-year, $36.75 million extension last June. Bateman followed up with a disappointing 2025 campaign, as his receiving production and targets dipped while he also battled injuries. The former first-round pick hauled in 19 receptions (second-lowest) on 38 targets (second-lowest) for a career-low 224 yards and two touchdowns (third-fewest) in 13 games. He missed Weeks 11, 12, and 15 with a high-ankle sprain and Week 18 with an illness.
Rashod Bateman is not guaranteed a starting job and will compete against Devontez Walker, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Elijah Sarratt for the final two openings alongside two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers. Despite this, the 26-year-old receiver is expected to hold down one of the starting gigs with Walker, Lane, and Sarratt vying for the final spot.
The Baltimore Ravens’ GM reflected on the $36M receiver’s 2025 struggles
Oct 12, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
During Thursday’s appearance on 105.7 The Fan with Cordell Woodland and Vinny Cerrato, Eric DeCosta reflected on Rashod Bateman’s struggles in 2025 and his expectations for him in 2026 under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The general manager described last season as a lost year for the former first-round pick. However, DeCosta expects Bateman to bounce back next season, praising his athleticism, route-running ability, and mindset. He also believes he will mesh well with Doyle and have plenty of opportunities.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete. Great route-runner. Rashod, it’s right there in front of him. He’s shown flashes of being a real problem for other teams,” DeCosta said. “His mindset is good. I’m really, really excited to see how he does this year with Declan in this offense. Everybody’s excited about him. He’s got a lot of opportunities this year. Last year was just kind of a lost season in some ways, but that’s no indication of the type of player that we think he is and how he can help us. I love the guy. I know he’s probably his biggest critic, but he’s a playmaker, and I expect him to have a great year this year. I’m excited about him and I can’t wait to see how he looks in this offense.”
Declan Doyle is excited for Bateman for training camp
“Yeah, Bate’s been around,” Doyle said during OTAs, via Giana Han of the Baltimore Banner. “He’s dealing with some personal things, so he hasn’t been here for a little bit. He was here that first week, and we were able to work him in quite a bit. Then, he was here pretty much the whole offseason, every day. He’s an early morning guy, so a lot of times I’d be going to work out, and he’s in there doing stuff by himself at times. I’ve been pleased with him. Obviously, . . . we’re working with the guys who are here, and guys who aren’t, we’re expecting them to be working kind of on their own. But I’m excited for him to get back in here at training camp and keep rolling.”
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