Ravens WR Rashod Bateman Needs a 'Change of Scenery' - ESPN

The reality of the NFL is that it's a business. And businesses are steered to make money. Every season players change teams due mainly to business decisions, made either by the team or the player, to improve their bottom line.

The reality of the NFL is that it's a business. And businesses are steered to make money. Every season players change teams due mainly to business decisions, made either by the team or the player, to improve their bottom line. 

But change can be good for some players.

If you look at players who made moves last offseason that benefitted them greatly, the names Jadeveon Clowney and Baker Mayfield come to mind. Clowney thrived after leaving Cleveland for Baltimore, and Mayfield looks to have finally found a home in the NFL (pending free agency, of course).

This offseason will be no different, and ESPN listed one player from each team who could benefit greatly from a change of scenery.

For the Baltimore Ravens, that player is wideout Rashod Bateman.

WR Rashod Bateman

"Bateman has never seemed to get on the same page with quarterback Lamar Jackson. In three seasons, the 2021 first-round pick has more drops from Jackson (nine) than touchdown receptions (four). Last season, Bateman caught only 60.4% of the passes thrown his way by Jackson (32 of 53), which ranked 13th on the team.

"However, it appears the Ravens aren't ready to move on from Bateman, who is entering the final year of his contract if Baltimore doesn't exercise his fifth-year option. 'Rashod Bateman has a great future,' coach John Harbaugh said at the end of the season. 'I think he'll be a bigger part of it next year ... and he'll be starting. He'll rise to the occasion.'"

NFLPA Report Card: Did Ravens Improve?

Bateman has not thrived in Baltimore. Quite the contrary. A change might be just what he needs to kick-start his career.