The Baltimore Ravens recently re-signed Rashod Bateman to an extension, but he almost joined a new team. A first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota product is coming off the best season of his career. After battling through injuries in his first few seasons, Bateman played all 17 games in 2024 while recording 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns on 72 targets. The yards, touchdowns, and targets were all career-highs, and his 45 receptions came one short of matching the 46 he recorded as a rookie.
While the Ravens ultimately rewarded him for his breakout season, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the team almost traded Rashod Bateman to the New England Patriots. However, no deal materialized, and Bateman eventually agreed to an extension with the team that drafted him.
The #Patriots showed interest in trading for #Ravens WR Rashod Bateman earlier this off-season, per @JFowlerESPN.
Bateman ultimately re-signed with Baltimore once the team gauged his market value.
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Patriots, Ravens Almost Agreed to Rashod Bateman Trade
The New England Patriots are in the midst of trying to rebuild their offense around franchise quarterback Drake Maye. With first-year head coach Mike Vrabel inheriting a mess, the team focused on rebuilding the offensive line with right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and rookie left tackle Will Campbell. While the team spent big on a high-risk, high-reward free agent in Stefon Diggs, they could use more stability at the position. Rashod Bateman would have been a perfect trade candidate, but the two sides couldn’t make a deal work.
Bateman, meanwhile, will remain Baltimore’s WR2 and the second or third target in the offense, depending on what happens with Mark Andrews. Andrews is entering the final year of his contract and, despite some trade rumors of his own, should remain the top tight end on the depth chart. However, he is entering his age-30 season and can’t hold off Isaiah Likely forever. Don’t be surprised if Andrews and Likely split the work and Bateman finishes the season second in targets.
