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Rashod Bateman contract details: Ravens extend WR after career-best season

Rashod Bateman contract details: Ravens extend WR after career-best season

USA Todaya day ago

Rashod Bateman contract details: Ravens extend WR after career-best season
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Former TE Greg Olsen is excited for some NFL players to showcase their skills in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics and the debut of flag football.
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Rashod Bateman enjoyed the best season of his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. The team has rewarded him for his efforts with a three-year extension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
This marks the second consecutive offseason during which Baltimore has signed Bateman to a contract extension. The 25-year-old signed a two-year pact during the 2024 NFL offseason that paid him an average of just over $6.4 million in average annual value (AAV) and tethered him to the team through the 2026 season.
Bateman's new deal will nearly double his AAV while ensuring he will continue to work as Baltimore's No. 2 receiver across from Zay Flowers.
Bateman played in all 17 regular-season games for the Ravens last season and recorded career-best marks in receiving yards (756) and receiving touchdowns (9). He served as a complimentary weapon in Baltimore's offense, which averaged the third-most points per game league-wide (30.1).
Here's what to know about Bateman's new deal with the Ravens as Baltimore looks to repeat the offensive success it had in 2025.
Rashod Bateman contract details
Bateman signed a three-year, $36.75 million contract before the 2024 NFL season. Below is a breakdown of the basics of the deal, per Schefter.
Term : 3 years
: 3 years Total value : $36.75 million
: $36.75 million Average annual value (AAV) : $12.25 million
: $12.25 million Guaranteed money: $20 million
Bateman's new deal ranks 29th among receivers in AAV league-wide, per Spotrac.com. When combined with his previous extension, the Minnesota product is set to make $49.6 million over five years before becoming a free agent during the 2030 NFL offseason.

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USA Today

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  • USA Today

AUSL 2025 schedule: Dates, times, how to watch Athletes Unlimited Softball League

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Five things to watch for in UFL conference championship weekend
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Fox Sports

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Just to trust that whatever plans are in store for me are unfolding the way they are supposed to." Blankenship has been one of the main reasons the Battlehawks are a league-best 8-2 heading into the postseason. St. Louis hosts the DC Defenders (6-4) in the XFL Conference title game on Sunday (6 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX Sports app), followed by the defending champion Stallions (7-3) will host the Michigan Panthers (6-4) in the USFL Conference title game (3 p.m. ET). Here's a closer look at what else to watch for during conference championship weekend. XFL Conference title game: Battlehawks vs. Defenders The two teams split during the regular season, as the Defenders defeated the Battlehawks by double digits, 27-15, in St. Louis in Week 3 when Manny Wilkins was still the starting quarterback. However, the Battlehawks took care of the Defenders in the final game of the regular season, 13-8, with both teams resting key players for the playoffs. St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht is 15-6 (including the postseason) in two years in the UFL and finished with a 7-3 record during his one season in the legacy XFL. Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris is 6-4 in his one season at the helm. The Defenders hold a 4-3 all-time record against the Battlehawks. Key matchup: Battlehawks defense vs. Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu A strength for St. Louis this season has been the team's potent pass rush, led by UFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pita Taumoepenu (7.5 sacks). The Battlehawks have held teams to a league-low 16.3 points per game and finished tied for a league-high nine interceptions on the year. However, St. Louis faces the best playmaking quarterback in the UFL this season with league MVP frontrunner Ta'amu. The Ole Miss product finished first in the league in passing touchdowns (17) and second in the UFL in passing yards (2,153). 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UFL Conference title game: Stallions vs. Panthers The Stallions are seeking their fourth consecutive spring football championship, having won back-to-back USFL titles and the first UFL championship last season. "With the 2025 team, I'm only trying to win one championship with this team," Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz said. The Stallions are 39-7 under Holtz. On the other side, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan has led the Panthers to the playoffs for a second straight year, posting a 17-15 record overall in two seasons. This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, and Birmingham owns a 7-0 all-time record. The Panthers enter this weekend's contest on a two-game losing streak. However, All-UFL QB Bryce Perkins had missed the last three games with an ankle injury but is expected to play Sunday. The Stallions swept the season series this year and defeated the Panthers in the USFL Championship Game last season, 31-18. Key matchup: Stallions defensive line vs. Panthers rushing offense Michigan's best chance at stunning the Stallions is controlling the line of scrimmage by establishing the running game, playing keep away from a Birmingham offense that has averaged 33 points a contest over the past four games. The Panthers are second in the UFL in rushing, averaging 128 rushing yards a contest. Michigan has the best short yardage running back in the league in Toa Taua, who led the league with six rushing touchdowns. And the return of Perkins gives the Panthers a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his feet and his arm in space. Key stats: Panthers receiver Siaosi Mariner led the UFL in receiving yards with 528. All-UFL cornerback Kedrick Whitehead Jr. led Michigan with 66 combined tackles. The Panthers committed 12 turnovers with seven lost fumbles and five interceptions during the regular season. The Stallions have forced 16 turnovers this season, tied for third in the UFL. Birmingham sack leader Bradlee Anae (4.0 sacks) is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions with 57 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Tezino also finished with one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. QB J'Mar Smith helped lead the Stallions to a USFL title in 2022 and has been the savior of Birmingham's offense since his midseason return, going 52-for-80 for 758 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in four games played. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! 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