OWINGS MILLS — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh praised the work ethic and potential of wide receiver Rashod Bateman throughout the offseason.
DeCosta provided Bateman with another vote of confidence by finalizing a two-year, $12.87 million contract extension in April.
Bateman has responded as the No. 2 option behind Zay Flowers for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Bateman has caught 17 of his 26 targets for 272 yards with two touchdowns in six games.
“I’m always open, and I’m going to continue to be so for Lamar,” Bateman said. “Zay Flowers is always open, and he will continue to do so for Lamar. We know what we’re able to do; we know what we’re capable of doing, and hopefully we continue to put that on show.”
Last season, Bateman appeared in 16 regular-season games and finished fifth on the team with 32 receptions for 367 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 41 yards in the two playoff games.
Bateman has dealt with various injuries, including hernia surgery that sidelined him for the first six games of his rookie season. The following year, he had foot surgery and was placed on injured reserve after six games.
Now, he is healthy and productive. Bateman is also happy to share the ball with other players in the Ravens’ versatile offense, which leads the NFL with 453.7 yards per game.
“Coach Harbs does a good job preaching team first, team first; and we’ve got a lot of guys, selfless guys, that are bought in, and I think the only thing anybody is concerned about right now is getting Lamar [Jackson] a Super Bowl,” Bateman said.
After opening the season with two straight losses, the Ravens have won four in a row and sit atop the AFC North. However, Baltimore has a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Jackson said there’s room for improvement for the offense, and that’s been the consensus among the players.
“Not to get too far into detail, football-wise, but I agree with Lamar,” Bateman said. “Every week, we leave a lot of points on the field, and it’s a small thing. We just have to clean up the details and really go back to the drawing board and sharpen those details, and make sure we can go out every Sunday and play to the best of our ability. Week by week, we’re getting better, but we’re human – there’s only so much we can do right – but we’re trending in the right direction.”
