Back in June, Baltimore extended Rashod Bateman on a three-year deal , and the receiver responded with a heartfelt note about growth, loyalty, and being ready for a bigger role in a championship-caliber offense, thanking Steve Bisciotti, Eric DeCosta, and John Harbaugh while reflecting on overcoming early-career setbacks.

Fast-forward to this week, and the headlines are different. The NFL fined Bateman $25,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal abuse of an official during last week’s win over the Dolphins.

He was flagged on the field, and a circulating video appears to show Bateman saying something to the referee that crossed the line, prompting the league office to levy the standard fine for abusive language toward officials.

What does it mean for Baltimore? From a football standpoi

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