The Ravens have reportedly signed 15-year veteran receiver DeSean Jackson to help the team overcome its rash of bad luck amid a 3-3 start this season.
Whether Jackson can provide a spark for a team that has given up double-digit leads three times this season remains to be seen. For now, it appears the move may have had an unintended effect inside the Baltimore locker room.
That would be the apparent displeasure of second-year receiver Rashod Bateman. The 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft posted a since-deleted tweet on Tuesday (just 47 minutes after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Jackson signing) that seemingly was tied to the news.
The cryptic message read only, “lol.”
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Of course, it’s impossible to say whether Bateman’s tweet was intended to voice any displeasure at Jackson’s reported signing. But the timing of his tweet — and its subsequent deletion — seem to speak volumes.
As for why Bateman is angry, it could be because of his usage in the Ravens’ offense. He ranks third on the team in targets (22) catches (11) and touchdowns (two) and is barely ahead of third-place Devin Duvernay in receiving yards (243 to 240). That is with just four games played.
A look at the Ravens’ receiving stats offers a glimpse into why the team would look to sign Jackson. Tight end Mark Andrews is far and away Lamar Jackson’s most reliable target, putting Bateman and Duvernay well behind him in targets (57), catches (39), yards (455) and touchdowns (five).
If Jackson’s presence can free up Andrews, Duvernay and Bateman a bit more, then all the better. It appears Bateman, however, has assumed that will mean even fewer catches for him. Only time will tell.
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