Ravens Extend Zay Flowers' Contract, Retain Rashod Bateman

Baltimore continues to invest in its young receiving corps

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Baltimore Ravens have decided to pick up the fifth-year option on 2023 first-round draft pick Zay Flowers, locking him in for the 2027 season at $27.298 million. The team also plans to retain wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who is guaranteed $6.5 million this year, despite his down performance in 2025. The Ravens are looking to maximize the talents of their young receiving duo in a new offensive system under coordinator Declan Doyle.

Why it matters

Keeping Flowers and Bateman together gives the Ravens' offense a strong foundation of young, talented receivers to build around as they transition to a new offensive coordinator. This move signals the team's commitment to developing its passing game and providing quarterback Lamar Jackson with reliable targets.

The details

The Ravens will exercise Flowers' fifth-year option, which will pay him $27.298 million in 2027 after he made $2.664 million in 2026. Bateman, who had a down year in 2025, is still guaranteed $6.5 million this season, and the team seems inclined to give him another chance in the new offense. The Ravens may also look to add another wide receiver in the middle rounds of the draft to potentially groom as a replacement for Bateman.

  • The Ravens will decide on Flowers' fifth-year option by May 2023.
  • Bateman is guaranteed $6.5 million for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Zay Flowers

A 2023 first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens who made the Pro Bowl in 2025 after a breakout season.

Rashod Bateman

A wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens who had a strong 2024 season but struggled in 2025, though the team remains committed to him.

Declan Doyle

The new offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, who will be installing a new offensive system.

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What they’re saying

“I got the impression from my conversations that the Ravens plan to pick up the fifth-year option on 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers, and that will put him in line to earn $27.298 million in 2027 after making $2.664 million in 2026.”

— Dan Graziano, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

“Rashod Bateman is coming off a down year but is guaranteed $6.5 million this year, and the Ravens seem inclined to give him another shot in the new offense they're installing under new coordinator Declan Doyle.”

— Dan Graziano, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Ravens will need to officially pick up Flowers' fifth-year option by May 2023 to lock him in for the 2027 season.

The takeaway

The Ravens are committed to building their passing attack around young, talented receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, signaling their belief in the duo's potential to thrive in a new offensive system under coordinator Declan Doyle.