Rashod Bateman Was Almost a Cowboy—But Loyalty to the Ravens Won Out as He Signs $36.75M Extension to Stay in Baltimore

In the NFL, loyalty is a rare currency — and wide receiver Rashod Bateman just spent his on the team that drafted him.

Amid offseason trade chatter and speculation, Bateman was nearly dealt to the Dallas Cowboys in a move that would have sent shockwaves through two of the league’s most passionate fanbases. According to multiple league sources, talks between the Baltimore Ravens and Cowboys were legitimate, with Dallas making exploratory inquiries about acquiring the 24-year-old pass catcher as they searched for offensive reinforcements.

But the deal never materialized.

Why? Because Bateman didn’t want it to.

“It was a possibility,” Bateman confirmed in a recent interview. “But the first thing I told [GM Eric DeCosta] was, ‘I don’t want to go anywhere else.’”

Shortly after, the Ravens and Bateman reached an agreement on a three-year, $36.75 million contract extension, locking in a talented receiver whose best football may still be ahead of him — and who wants nothing more than to win in purple and black.

This is the story of how Bateman nearly became a Cowboy — and why staying a Raven was the decision that felt right to him, the front office, and the city of Baltimore.

The Trade That Almost Was

In early March, with free agency looming and the draft approaching, the Cowboys found themselves in a difficult spot.

They had lost Michael Gallup, didn’t appear close to re-signing Brandin Cooks, and needed a second option to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Internally, the Cowboys considered multiple names, but Rashod Bateman surfaced as a particularly intriguing target.

Bateman, the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, had shown flashes of brilliance but hadn’t yet produced a breakout season due to injuries and a run-heavy offense in Baltimore. Still, the Cowboys believed a fresh start and Dak Prescott’s passing volume could unleash Bateman’s full potential.

They called the Ravens. Discussions took place. Numbers were exchanged. Frameworks were loosely explored.

And then, the talks stopped.

It wasn’t because of compensation. It wasn’t because the fit didn’t make sense.

It was because Bateman made his voice heard — and Baltimore listened.

“Rashod came straight to me,” said Ravens GM Eric DeCosta. “He said, ‘I love it here. I want to be part of this. Let’s build.’ That meant something.”

In an era where trade demands are made through agents and Instagram unfollows, Bateman’s approach was different. Direct. Decisive. Genuine.

Why the Ravens Said No

From the Ravens’ perspective, moving Bateman never made much sense. The team had invested a first-round pick in him out of Minnesota, believing his route-running, hands, and toughness would translate perfectly to the AFC North.

While injuries hampered his early development — including a groin injury his rookie year and a Lisfranc foot injury in 2022 — the Ravens always maintained that Bateman could become a reliable WR1 or WR2 in their system.

That belief only strengthened after he returned healthy in 2023, catching 51 passes for 720 yards and four touchdowns despite playing behind Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Mark Andrews in the target pecking order.

Internally, the Ravens see Bateman’s trajectory aligning with peak Anquan Boldin — a physical, dependable, fearless receiver who shines brightest in big moments.

“We see a guy who hasn’t hit his ceiling yet,” said head coach John Harbaugh. “He’s battled through adversity. Now it’s time to reap the rewards.”

Locking him in through 2027 at just under $12.25 million per year, the Ravens feel like they secured both value and continuity — something crucial for quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has long advocated for keeping weapons in-house.

“I told them — keep my guys,” Jackson said during minicamp. “Rashod’s one of us.”

Why Bateman Wanted to Stay

For Bateman, the extension wasn’t about the money — though it certainly helps. It was about belonging.

Drafted in 2021 during a tumultuous time in the league — with COVID-19 protocols and organizational instability surrounding many franchises — Bateman found consistency in Baltimore. He found belief. He found structure. And, most importantly, he found teammates who believed in him even when injuries and setbacks challenged his confidence.

“When I was hurt, Baltimore still believed in me,” Bateman said. “When I wasn’t myself, they didn’t give up. That loyalty meant everything.”

He credits veteran leaders like Beckham, Mark Andrews, and Patrick Queen with helping him stay locked in mentally during tough stretches. He also formed a strong bond with Jackson, who he says made “every practice fun, even when I couldn’t play.”

Now healthy and entering Year 4 with a full offseason to train, Bateman says he feels better than ever — and more motivated than ever.

“I’ve got my team, my quarterback, and a city behind me,” he said. “Now I’ve just got to go ball.”

Cowboys Pivot to George Pickens

After trade talks with the Ravens fizzled, the Cowboys didn’t waste time finding a Plan B.

They turned their attention to George Pickens, eventually pulling off a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers that gave them a physical, big-play receiver to pair with Lamb. While Pickens comes with his own set of question marks — maturity concerns and route inconsistency among them — the Cowboys felt they needed someone with star potential.

“We made calls. Did our due diligence,” Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said. “Ultimately, we liked George’s upside and felt he fits what we’re building.”

Still, some inside Dallas’ front office quietly admitted that Bateman’s reliability and professionalism were highly appealing — and that losing out on him stung.

“He’s a glue guy,” one source said. “We could’ve used that.”

How the Extension Impacts the Ravens’ Offense

With Bateman now signed through 2027, the Ravens’ wide receiver room has rare stability.

• Zay Flowers is under contract through 2026.

• Nelson Agholor was re-signed as a veteran WR3.

• Tylan Wallace and Devon Williams offer depth and special teams ability.

But it’s Bateman’s presence that gives the group identity. He can line up outside, win inside, block in the run game, and take tough catches over the middle. He also gives new offensive coordinator Todd Monken flexibility in formations and matchups.

Expect to see Bateman featured more heavily in red zone packages and third-down situations — areas where Baltimore struggled in 2023.

“We want Rashod to be a matchup nightmare,” Monken said. “He’s physical, smart, and fearless. That’s what you need when the game’s on the line.”

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Baltimore’s Championship Window

The Ravens came heartbreakingly close to a Super Bowl appearance last season, falling to Kansas City in the AFC Championship. They return most of their core roster — including Jackson, Andrews, Flowers, Queen, and Roquan Smith — and have loaded up on both sides of the ball to make another run.

Re-signing Bateman keeps continuity in the offense and sends a message: this team is committed to winning now, with the guys they believe in.

It’s also a statement about culture. Bateman, like Lamar, is a homegrown star who chose to stay. In an NFL era defined by transfers, trades, and one-year rentals, that kind of loyalty is meaningful — not just in the locker room, but in the community.

“Baltimore made me,” Bateman said. “And I’m going to give everything I’ve got to bring a championship here.”

Rashod Bateman could have become a Dallas Cowboy. He could’ve joined a high-powered offense, played in a bigger market, and chased the spotlight.

But instead, he chose Baltimore. He chose consistency. He chose teammates who supported him, coaches who believed in him, and a city that embraced him.

In doing so, Bateman didn’t just sign a contract — he sent a message: some players still believe in building something where they started.

And for the Ravens, keeping a player like that might be just as important as landing a superstar.

Because loyalty, in this league, is rare.

But in Baltimore, it still matters.