Fresh off a contract extension, Rashod Bateman is looking to help flip the script in Baltimore.
The Ravens wide receiver joined NFL Network's The Insiders from minicamp on Wednesday and set forth his hope of changing a perception that has followed Baltimore wideouts for seasons on end.
"That's always been my mindset. It never really changed," Bateman told NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. "No matter what I went through I was always praying and hoping that it worked out here. There's a lot of love and respect that comes with a team that drafted you and I wanted to flip that narrative of receivers here and I definitely think we're on the right track of doing that. Not really looking for nobody else's validation but it feels good, somewhat, to be in the midst now headed down that right track."
Bateman, who signed a three-year, $36.75 million extension two weeks ago, is coming off a career-best season in which he nabbed 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. The fourth-year WR added to his breakout campaign with six catches for 90 yards and two TDs in two postseason games.
Alongside Zay Flowers, who became the first Ravens player to be named a Pro Bowler at the WR position in 2024, Bateman is an important fixture for a Baltimore pass-catching group that supported Lamar Jackson's career-high passing season (4,172 yards, 41 TDs).
With the Ravens falling short in the Divisional Round six months ago, the club decided to add to its much-improved receiving corps with the signing of veteran DeAndre Hopkins. Bateman is already seeing an effect from the three-time All-Pro.
"You could just definitely tell that he's been in the game a while and done a lot of great things," Bateman said of Hopkins. "A lot of people respect what he's done and what he brings to the table. But as far as right now, he's been a very good veteran for us, giving all of us advice -- not even just myself -- he's been very vocal about that. All of us are much younger so [our] ears are open and we're taking all the advice we can get from him. He's done great things, so hopefully we can take that, add it to our game, add it to our personalities to go help this team. He's been good for us and I know he's going to be big for us this season."
Baltimore also added another veteran late into the offseason with the signing of cornerback Jaire Alexander on Wednesday, which Bateman says will only make the receivers better this summer.
"In practice, it's definitely going to be a battle," Bateman said. "It's always a battle -- this defense here is tough and adding Jaire to the group is definitely going to make us better. Going out, putting Jaire in the middle of our defense with the guys that we got now I think is going to be fun to see. It's going to be some Ravens football."
As many players and coaches tend to indicate in June, Bateman said Wednesday that "everyone looks fast, strong and powerful" in minicamp and the team is "eager to get back to work and chase this ring."
With Jackson entering his eighth season and aiming to get the Ravens over an ongoing playoff hump, Bateman says the two-time MVP quarterback appears to be geared up for a vengeful season in 2025.
"He does look skinnier, quicker and faster," Bateman said of Jackson. "The league is in trouble, per usual."
