Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta just confirmed the team is still absolutely in the dark on the NFL’s investigation into wide receiver Rashod Bateman’s offseason arrest. This isn’t some minor hiccup, either. DeCosta laid out the brutal truth with reporters this week, making it clear the team is on the outside looking in, waiting for answers they don’t know when they’ll get.
Bateman’s Legal Nightmare Has The Ravens Stuck
DeCosta didn’t sugarcoat it, saying, “In these matters we just really kind of sit back and wait for the league and for the authorities to kind of tell us what’s going on.” The worst part? He followed that up with, “Have no indication how long that’s going to take.” This isn’t just about disappointment, it’s about a complete lack of control for the Ravens. Bateman was taken into custody back in June in Georgia on suspicion of family violence battery and reckless conduct, both misdemeanors, and then there’s the big one: criminal damage to property, a felony. Yeah, a felony. DeCosta directly admitted the team is “very disappointed about” having to deal with this situation right now, confirming they knew about it, contacted the league “right away,” and the league has been doing its own investigation. It leaves a massive question mark over a key player as the season kicks off.
Kicking Chaos and a Lingering QB Contract
But Bateman isn’t the only headache DeCosta had to address. The Ravens are also deep in kicking drama. After a rough preseason where their starter, Tyler Loop, missed three of his seven field goal attempts in this year’s exhibition games, the team didn’t hesitate. They added Jake Moody to the practice squad this week, which is basically putting Loop on blast. DeCosta’s message was blunt: “We got to make kicks.” He called Moody a “fresh set of legs to look at, evaluate, compare, see how it all works out.” This is a performance business, plain and simple, and Loop’s performance wasn’t cutting it. Beyond the kicks, star quarterback Lamar Jackson still doesn’t have a new contract. DeCosta said he remains optimistic, but the reality is it didn’t happen this offseason, forcing the team to restructure his existing deal, which still has two seasons remaining. It’s not ideal when your franchise QB’s long-term future isn’t locked down.
A Glimmer of Hope on Defense?
There’s one bright spot to hold onto for Ravens fans, though. Defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike is not on injured reserve, which is huge news. He missed most of last season with a neck injury, so the fact he’s expected back at some point in the first four weeks is the “biggest cause for optimism” from the 53-man roster release. DeCosta is “as encouraged now as I’ve ever been about Nnamdi,” adding that getting him back has been “incredible.” That’s a massive boost for their defense, assuming he can stay healthy after such a long absence.
So, as the NFL regular season gets underway, the Ravens are dealing with major uncertainty around Bateman, real concerns about their kicking game, and a star quarterback whose contract saga continues. Madubuike’s return is a positive, but Baltimore has a lot to navigate as they start their campaign.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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