Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman appears to be recovering well after suffering a season-ending foot injury in 2022.
The 2021 first-rounder got off to a red-hot start in his second year, recording eight catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games.
The Ravens had hoped Bateman would enjoy a breakout year, expecting him to step up as the No. 1 wide receiver in Marquise Brown’s absence. Bateman developed good chemistry with Jackson before getting injured in Week 4 and remains a cornerstone piece in the offense. Finger crossed that Bateman has a swift and complete recovery.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman showing the surgical scars from his foot surgery
— Kyle Phoenix Barber (@KylePBarber) January 18, 2023
(IG:rashodbateman) pic.twitter.com/3blOpsUXub
Here’s what trending in Ravens news around the web
Lamar Jackson still linked to NFC South trade (Daniel Flick, Sports Illustrated)
Despite the Ravens’ franchise confirming their commitment to Lamar Jackson, the star quarterback is still being rumored in various trades.
The Washington Post recently published an article that claimed Jackson could be on the move this offseason.
An insider wrote:
"“The executives I spoke with kept coming back to two NFC South teams as potential Jackson landing spots: the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers. Both missed out on Deshaun Watson a year ago — but not without a significant fight. Both have a need at quarterback, both markets could use a jolt, and neither owner is afraid to spend.”"
The Falcons and Panthers are both interesting landing spots for Jackson, though we’re still in the camp that believes Jackson will stay in Baltimore. Time will tell.
Ravens’ offensive coordinator position is one of the most desirable (Mike Jones, The Athletic)
Ten NFL teams are currently on the prowl for a new offensive coordinator, and Jones listed the Ravens’ open position as the fourth-most desirable job in the league.
One concern was the Baltimore’s offense surrounding Jackson: Jones states there aren’t a lot of “top-flight, consistent weapons” on the roster other than Mark Andrews. Whoever wants this position will have to contend with a roster that finished bottom of the league in scoring this past season.
10 biggest offseason questions for the Ravens (Ryan Mink, Ravens.com)
You can read the whole article for the full ten questions, but one of the more intriguing ones was whether Baltimore’s offense will undergo a change following Greg Roman’s departure.
The Ravens leaned on their old-school defensive philosophy when Jackson got injured, and their direction in 2023 will obviously hinge on whether Jackson stays in Baltimore. As Mink writes, balance is an important facet of the team’s identity moving forward, and determining the details of the offensive vision and blueprint will be part of the process.