Should the Vikings bring Rashod Bateman back to Minnesota?

Should the Minnesota Vikings attempt to work out a trade that results in them acquiring Baltimore Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman in 2023?

Considering he played his home games in college less than three miles away from U.S. Bank Stadium, it was certainly disappointing for some Minnesota Vikings fans when former University of Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman wound up with the Baltimore Ravens back in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Recently, Bateman decided to share some of his frustrations with the Ravens on Twitter for the public to see. He didn’t exactly hold back his feelings.

Minnesota Vikings should see if they can trade for Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman

Given Bateman’s decision to voice his frustrations publicly, and the potential of Lamar Jackson not returning to Baltimore for the 2023 season, it seems possible that the former Golden Gopher wide receiver could potentially be put on the trade block this year.

This would certainly seem even more possible if Jackson actually does land with another team this offseason, as the Ravens would likely want to acquire as many assets this year as possible so that they can quickly rebuild, and potentially be ready to contend again in 2024.

For the Vikings, Bateman would be an obvious upgrade as the team’s No. 2 receiver over Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. Injuries have limited him to appearing in just 18 games in his first two NFL seasons, but based on the NFLPA survey results that recently came out, one could easily blame his injury struggles on Baltimore’s former strength coach and their training facilities.

During his two years in the league, Bateman has hauled in a total of 61 catches for 800 yards and three touchdowns. In his three seasons at the University of Minnesota, he racked up 147 total receptions for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in 31 games.

At 23-years-old, Bateman still has plenty of potential to develop into one of the best receivers in the NFL. Perhaps a return to the state where he played some of the best football of his life would be a good way to get his pro career on the right track.