You have probably read most, if not all, of the articles by this point. They are usually titled something like “Will Rashod Bateman Have a Breakout Season?” or “Rashod Bateman Poised to Have a Breakout Season.”
This isn’t the only talking season in which we have seen articles and op-eds like this.
Ever since 2021, when Baltimore selected Bateman 27th overall out of Minnesota, we have waited with bated breath for the wide receiver to finally live up to the expectations that accompany a first-round pick.
This is a topic that we consistently think and talk about.
On this the first day of training camp, he was asked what it would take for him to have a breakout season:
“I gotta show consistency so Lamar [Jackson] can trust me, so the team can trust me, so Todd [Monken] can trust me. I have to do my job.”
So, how would one define consistency, then?
Bateman needs to stay healthy first and then increase his statistical production. His career highs for receptions and yards came in 2021 when he caught 46 balls for 515 yards.
His career high for touchdown receptions is just two, which came in 2022.
To put up better numbers, Bateman must reduce the drops and ensure that he always runs good, crisp, precise routes.
He was also asked what success looks like for him in 2024, and he gave the industry standard type of response, saying:
“Super Bowl. It’s not about me. I need to do what’s best for this team, whatever my role is. I expect my role to be bigger, and I’m ready to take that on.”
Bateman has undoubtedly shown a spring in his step this summer, as videos of him working out have portrayed a player in top shape with significant ups.
When asked how the healing from his Lisfranc fracture is going now, as when compared to last year, he said:
“The foot is healed. It’s not a problem anymore, thank God. I’m healthy 100 percent, and that’s all I can say about it. I don’t even want to keep talking about my injuries.
“It’s past me now. We’re on to bigger and better things now.”
Rashod Bateman is certainly saying all the right things. Now he just needs to let his game do the talking for him this upcoming season.