Through six games, it’d be hard to argue that the Ravens are one of the NFL’s unluckier teams. In each of its three losses to this point, Baltimore has held a 10-point lead at some stage of the second half. Much of it might be due to Lamar Jackson’s dearth of reliable targets, as Mark Andrews seems to be the only weapon he can consistently lean on.
To somewhat address this issue, the Ravens signed long-time veteran speedster DeSean Jackson on Tuesday. For promising young receiver Rashod Bateman — who has missed the last two games with a foot injury — it seems the former first-round pick playmaker isn’t happy with the addition of the 35-year-old Jackson to the Ravens’ WR corps.
At least, that’s what NFL fans thought when Bateman sent a cryptic tweet not long (less than 50 minutes!) after the announcement of Jackson’s signing. Given the timing (and general lack of elaboration) — it seemed to be Bateman’s immediate reaction:
lol
— Rashod Bateman (@R_bateman2) October 18, 2022
It’s unclear why Bateman would be potentially displeased with another wideout joining Baltimore. Though, to theorize, he is currently just third in targets in the Ravens’ pecking order (behind Andrews and Devin Duvernay). So, it might be that Bateman’s unhappy he could see the ball less in his return.
If that’s why Bateman doesn’t appreciate Jackson’s signing, the Ravens might have some brewing inner dysfunction to contend with. Plus, this kind of situation would likely hamstring part of the team’s efforts to establish a measure of positive consistency in the coming weeks.
A frustrating season in Baltimore grows ever stranger.
NFL fans were convinced Bateman was displeased with DeSean Jackson's addition to the Ravens
Rashod Bateman, YOU are a Green Bay Packer https://t.co/LWPCdAIfOJ
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) October 18, 2022
come home @R_bateman2 https://t.co/m2xf3pC8Ov pic.twitter.com/mrQJ4vXwDe
— z (@znussss) October 18, 2022
The PR team sending this over to Harbaugh https://t.co/0JrrjkwiNS pic.twitter.com/3sXebUZPkr
— #FireSatterfield (@CardsAndRavens) October 18, 2022
They’ve def lost the locker room. https://t.co/0x2TAAzIWW
— Kip Smithers (@Chughes612) October 18, 2022
welp. https://t.co/1jgYDGvFNB
— Alex Glaze (@Alex_Glaze) October 18, 2022
Come to Green Bay, King https://t.co/dS0InENVnj
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) October 18, 2022
Ravens are crumbling https://t.co/2AXGA4jyyB
— Jacob (@battlejacob1299) October 18, 2022
lamar needs to get out of this circus https://t.co/g95gE4tCE1
— idk anymore (@wakeupchandon) October 18, 2022
The locker room is lost. https://t.co/xqmyoM7qa2
— Cj Arrington (@Cj_Arrington1) October 18, 2022
What number would you like to wear on your Chicago Bears jersey? https://t.co/NDKQoyov0u
— luke (@BayesBalI) October 18, 2022
Everybody on the ravens team can see it, except the front office https://t.co/NzzIOjETRt
— Stressed Out Ravens Fan 😈😈 (@coreyjohnson29) October 18, 2022
I don’t think he likes the djax signing lol https://t.co/T2GA59duXj
— WRODY ❼ (@_brody__) October 18, 2022
the 2022 Baltimore Ravens are so unserious. love the players, hate the organization as of now https://t.co/RyUNwAjhMa
— Mr 👿⚡️ (@flock313) October 18, 2022
The front office and coaching staff are slowly losing the trust of their own players. Discouraging to see https://t.co/nRlFonZVB4
— Michael Traina (@_Miketraina_) October 18, 2022