Rashod Bateman Criticizes Ravens GM Over 'Better Receivers' Comment

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman called out general manager Eric DeCosta on Thursday over the GM's remarks about the team's struggle to develop reliable receivers.

DeCosta was asked on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine about how he evaluates wide receivers.

"If I had an answer, that would probably mean I would have some better receivers," DeCosta answered. "We're gonna keep swinging. There have been some guys that have been successful players for us that were draft picks. We've never really hit on that All-Pro type of guy, which is disappointing, but it's not for a lack of effort."

A Ravens' first-round pick in 2021, Bateman responded in a tweet that lasted 40 minutes before it was deleted:

"How 'bout you play to your player's strengths and stop pointing the finger at us and #8 ...blame the one you let do this.... we take heat 24/7. and keep us healthy ... care about US and see what happen..ain't no promises, tho ... tired of y'all lyin and capn on players for no reason"

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown, who requested a trade from the Ravens in 2022, responded to Bateman's tweet with "Let him cook."

Bateman replaced his tweet with one that read "my apologies" and an emoji of two people hugging. The reference to No. 8 was to quarterback Lamar Jackson, with whom DeCosta is trying to negotiate a new contract.

Bateman has dealt with significant injuries in his first two seasons. He missed most of 2021 because of a groin muscle injury. In 2022, he played only six games because of a foot injury, recording 15 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

In January, Bateman responded to the notion he's always been an injury-prone player by tweeting, "Never missed a practice or game until the nfl .. (injury proned) y'all so weak."

The Ravens' head strength and conditioning coach, Steve Saunders, was fired last month. Baltimore received an "F-minus" for the quality of its strength coaches in the NFLPA's report card released Wednesday.