The Detroit Lions made wide receiver Jameson Williams a rich man on Saturday, signing the rising star to a three-year extension worth $83 million. Williams is coming off a breakout season, where he posted 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He was more than worthy of a payday, but the move makes a recent Baltimore Ravens extension look like the steal of the offseason.
Baltimore extended 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman back in June, agreeing to a three-year, $36.75 million deal. The contract came just over a year after he signed a two-year, $12.87 million extension in the 2024 offseason. However, after a 756-yard, nine-touchdown campaign in 2024, he was due an increase in money.
At that point, Baltimore’s agreement with the 25-year-old was seen as a steal. He will be locked into a contract with the team through the 2029 season on a deal that will look significantly cheaper with each passing year. Now, the latest extension at the position makes Bateman look significantly underpaid.
Jameson Williams’ extension proves Ravens’ Bateman extension was a steal
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta has become known as one of the best general managers in football. He always drafts well and conducts a masterclass in contract negotiations. He rarely fails to retain the stars that help make Baltimore one of the best teams in the league, and his move with Bateman proves he is always ahead of the curve.
Williams is undoubtedly a game-changer in Detroit and is quickly rising to Pro Bowl status heading into his fourth season. He possesses lethal speed that makes him a threat to take any pass for a touchdown, and he put that on full display as the 2024 season progressed, becoming a consistent threat in Ben Johnson’s offense. Although the Lions will be without Johnson in 2025, Williams should continue to take massive strides.
In Bateman’s case, he may not be on Williams' level at this moment, but he is not worth $46.25 million less. Sure, his stats seem average, but his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. In an offense that features Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry running the ball, and other weapons like Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely taking away targets, it can be difficult for the former Minnesota Golden Gopher to put up those flashy numbers. Make no mistake, though; he is a threat anytime he is on the field.
What makes Bateman special is his route running. He consistently finds a way open and was a key deep threat for Jackson and Baltimore’s offense last year.
Rashod Bateman's route-running is filthy.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 14, 2024
Watch especially on the first and fourth at how hard it is to press him and stick at the top of his route. #SeparationKing pic.twitter.com/JyfI45vdiB
If Bateman continues the trajectory he is on, he will quickly find himself in a position for another payday. It all starts in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.