The Baltimore Ravens had a polarizing offseason. Heading into the 2025 regular season, they lost minimal talent but also did not make many improvements. They could not afford to make any blockbuster moves, but they had enough money to shore up critical areas, and in many eyes, they failed to do that. Regardless, they appeared to have a Super Bowl-contending roster this year.
That has been far from the case, as at 6-6, they are fighting for their playoff lives every week. Still, some of their offseason moves are paying dividends and keeping their 2025 campaign alive. The extension of safety Kyle Hamilton pays off every week, and the decision to sign cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is looking like the steal of the offseason.
One deal that has not paid off yet and appears to be backfiring, though, is the extension given to wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Ravens’ Rashod Bateman extension looks rough
Back in June, the Ravens signed Bateman to a three-year $36.75 million extension. He earned every dollar of that contract in 2024. He tallied 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns throughout that season. He became a legit number-two threat behind Pro Bowl wideout Zay Flowers, but this year, it has been a complete story.
In 10 games in 2025, the 26-year-old has just 16 receptions, 194 yards, and two touchdowns. He has only logged one game with more than two catches and two games with 25 or more yards. According to Pro Football Focus, he has registered a 57.5 overall grade, the worst of his career.
In Baltimore’s Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Bateman posted his second game of the year without a single reception. Granted, he was coming off an ankle sprain that kept him out for two games, and his return in a short week might have been a bit quicker than anticipated.
Still, when healthy, Bateman has been unimpressive. His performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 3 was the highlight of his campaign, leading Baltimore wide receivers with five receptions, 63 yards, and a touchdown in the loss. He has flashed the brilliance of the player that made him a wealthy man, but has not been that for anywhere close to a consistent basis.
The offensive line has likely caused an issue with the connection between quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bateman. Bateman has become the go-to deep threat for Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s offense, and the line often fails to give his routes enough time to develop.
Regardless, the Ravens simply need more from the 2021 first-round pick. The offense has been struggling as of late, especially the passing attack. Bateman has proven himself as one of the better separators across his five-year career, and he will need to reestablish himself as such down the stretch if Baltimore wants to contend for the playoffs.