Last year’s contract extension surprised Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman. But this year’s? This one made sense.

“Because I finally did something on the field that was impressive and something that you can respect and stand on,” Bateman explained Thursday after the Ravens’ voluntary organized team activities. “Before that, it was a little bit shocking. I had some ups and downs here and there. So to be able to be here now feels good.”

Bateman signed his third contract in five years with the Ravens on Thursday, the team announced. The deal is for three years and $36.75 million, according to ESPN, and includes $20 million in guaranteed money. It came after Bateman surpassed his career-best season by more than 200 receiving yards and more than tripled his career touchdown catches to that point.

A third contract with the Ravens is significant for any player — but especially when you’re a receiver, Bateman said.

In the decade before the Ravens drafted Bateman in the first round in 2021, they had picked five receivers in the top three rounds. The two first-round picks, Breshad Perriman and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, were released and traded, respectively, before their second contracts. Devin Duvernay, a third-rounder, and Torrey Smith, a second-rounder, played out their rookie contracts before leaving in free agency. Miles Boykin, a third-round pick, was released before the end of his rookie contract.

None signed a second contract with the Ravens, much less a third.

“It hits different when it’s a receiver here,” Bateman said. “We all know the perspective here. We’ve been through a lot. We go through a lot. … I’ll just say it means a lot to be able to start something new here, something fresh when it comes to the receiving room. Hopefully we continue to make plays and change the narrative here."

Although Bateman always wanted to stay with the Ravens long term, he said he never knew if that was in the plans for him because “you don’t know the conversations that are had when you’re not around” and he hadn’t played up to his own expectations.

He had a promising rookie year, but his second season was cut short by a foot injury. The same injury kept him from participating in the majority of 2023 training camp ahead of his third season.

Bateman later said that prevented him from building chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was in his first season, also said the Ravens didn’t fit him into the offense as well as they could have.

“And then, the beginning there Bateman gets kind of banged up a little bit, and so does Odell [Beckham Jr.],” Monken said in 2024 when reflecting on the previous season. “So here you are, beginning of the year, but you’re already in the season. We certainly could have done a better job of moving them around, for sure, but as the year went on, Rashod really came on, and I’ve seen tremendous growth.”

Although Bateman’s production was low for a first-round pick, he got open at a high rate in 2023, and Pro Football Focus gave him a “separation grade” above even Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill. But in many cases Bateman wasn’t thrown the ball when he was open or he was the target of an uncatchable pass.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta reiterated his faith in Bateman multiple times, and he backed it up with the first contract extension, a two-year, $12.871 million deal that he called a “no-brainer.”

It was signed ahead of the final year of his rookie deal, extending the four-year rookie contract from 2021 into 2026 and increasing the average annual value from $3,149,853 to $6,435,949.

The extension was in place of a fifth-year option, which Bateman did not qualify for because he started 2023’s training camp on the Did Not Report list and had accrued only two seasons.

The extension might have been a no-brainer to DeCosta, but to Bateman it was a shock. He had played 10 more games in 2023 than in 2022 but had only 17 more catches and 82 more yards. There was no statistical proof that he was trending up fast enough to merit a contract.

Bateman rewarded the team’s faith in him. He put in work in his first healthy offseason since 2022, and it translated into results.

“I think, before the season started, I was at that point of peace,” Bateman said. “And I feel like that was a heavy reason to why I was able to do those type of things on the field and have that much success, because I was in a better headspace throughout the year.”

Bateman and Jackson found the chemistry that many had worried didn’t exist. Bateman established himself as a deep threat, and Jackson delivered him beautiful passes that made it onto highlight reels throughout the season. Bateman went from making 32 catches for 367 yards in 2023 to 45 catches for 756 yards in 2024.

Bateman also became one of the Ravens’ most trusted targets in the end zone. After catching four touchdown passes over his first three seasons, he grabbed nine in 2024.

“Rashod made a big jump last year and we are excited to watch him this season,” DeCosta said in a statement. “He’s a young playmaker who is an important piece of our offense. Congratulations to Rashod and his family!”

The contract feels like validation, Bateman said, an acknowledgement of not only what he did last year but of the value the Ravens think he’ll have for years to come.

Bateman has always had faith in his own ability, even if that was tested through the long days of recovery, but now everyone else has seen a glimpse of what he can do. He doesn’t feel he has to prove anything to anyone other than to his team.

“I work for the Ravens, and I work for Lamar Jackson, technically,” Bateman said. “And if these guys are pleased with what I’m doing and my work ethic and all of that, then I feel like, as a team, that’s what’s important to me.”

Bateman received a hug from coach John Harbaugh and had a nice chat with Monken during OTAs on Thursday, but he has yet to hear from the real boss, Jackson, who again missed practice.

“I don’t know if anybody has heard from Lamar,” Bateman joked.

But Bateman and Jackson have proved that they’re on the same page, whether they’re practicing in the same place or not. The goal written in all caps across that page?

“Keep chasing a Super Bowl.”

According to fellow first-round wide receiver Zay Flowers, Jackson has ideas for how to get the Ravens over their postseason problems. Bateman is open to anything.

“Whatever they want me to do, imma do,” Bateman said. “I just like playing football, and at this point, bro, I’m grateful for it all. So they throw me in the slot, throw me at tight end, chip block, whatever. I’ll do it.”

“Especially now,” he added with a laugh.

This article has been updated.