The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the offseason with more questions than answers at wide receiver, and one name that keeps surfacing in trade chatter is Rashod Bateman. The 26-year-old wideout is coming off a disappointing campaign - just 224 receiving yards and two touchdowns - and while he's fresh off a three-year, $36 million extension, the production simply didn’t match the investment.
To make matters murkier, Bateman stirred up some off-field drama this week with a series of cryptic social media posts. Though he later claimed his account was hacked, he also admitted to agreeing with some of the messages.
That kind of ambiguity doesn’t usually sit well with a franchise trying to keep its locker room focused and unified. Whether it’s frustration, miscommunication, or something deeper, the writing feels like it’s on the wall: a split could be coming.
Even if the Ravens don’t get much in return, moving Bateman could be addition by subtraction - clearing cap space and cutting ties with a player who may benefit from a fresh start. And while his trade value isn’t sky-high after a down year, there are still teams that might see untapped potential in the former first-rounder. Here are three franchises that could make sense as landing spots.
1. New York Jets: A Low-Risk, High-Upside Swing
The Jets are in desperate need of wide receiver help, and that’s putting it mildly. Garrett Wilson led the team in receiving yards last season - and he only played seven games. The offense sputtered all year, and with the quarterback situation still unsettled, New York needs to stack the deck with as many weapons as possible.
Bateman could be a smart buy-low candidate for the Jets. He wouldn’t have to come in and be the WR1 - that’s Wilson’s job - but he could carve out a significant role in an offense that badly needs depth and versatility.
With ample cap space and a front office that’s clearly in win-now mode, taking a flier on Bateman makes sense. He gets a bigger role, the Jets get a potential contributor at a bargain price, and both sides get a shot at redemption.
2. Los Angeles Chargers: Familiar Faces, Familiar Fit
If there’s one team that’s become a second home for former Ravens, it’s the Chargers. Since the 2024 offseason, no fewer than 14 ex-Ravens have found their way to Los Angeles, either through trades or free agency. That pipeline isn’t a coincidence - Chargers GM Joe Hortiz spent years in Baltimore’s front office and was part of the group that drafted Bateman in the first round back in 2021.
Hortiz has already shown a willingness to bring in former Ravens he believes in, including a midseason trade for Odafe Oweh. If he still sees the upside in Bateman - and it’s fair to assume he does - the Chargers could be in play.
The opportunity might not be as wide open as it would be in New York, but there’s still room for Bateman to make an impact. Keenan Allen is a pending free agent, and the Chargers are expected to remain pass-heavy with Justin Herbert under center. That could open the door for Bateman to carve out a meaningful role in a familiar system, surrounded by coaches and execs who know what he brings to the table.
3. Dallas Cowboys: Revisiting Old Interest
This wouldn’t be the first time the Cowboys have kicked the tires on Rashod Bateman. Back in the 2025 offseason, Dallas reportedly showed interest in trading for him before he ultimately signed his extension with Baltimore. That deal didn’t materialize then, but with George Pickens now a pending free agent, the Cowboys could come calling again.
Pickens and Bateman are both athletic X receivers who can stretch the field and win outside the numbers. While Pickens has shown more consistency and star potential, Bateman still offers intriguing upside - especially if the price is right.
If Pickens walks in free agency, Dallas could look at Bateman as a cost-effective replacement with room to grow in a high-octane offense. The Cowboys have never shied away from betting on talent, and Bateman still has the tools to be a productive piece in the right situation.
Final Thoughts
Rashod Bateman’s time in Baltimore hasn’t unfolded the way anyone expected. Injuries, inconsistency, and now off-field tension have clouded what was once a promising trajectory. But at 26, he’s still young, still athletic, and still has a first-round pedigree - that’s not the kind of profile teams give up on easily.
Whether it’s the Jets looking for weapons, the Chargers leaning into their Ravens connection, or the Cowboys revisiting a prior flirtation, Bateman’s name is one to watch as the offseason unfolds. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to unlock a player’s potential. For Bateman and the Ravens, that time might be now.