It’s “Stir the Pot” SZN in the NFL

OTAs are upon us, my friends, and with them, we reach another landmark on our journey back to football season. As voluntary team activities get underway, there are some legitimately interesting storylines to monitor.

The hot-button topic on everyone’s minds is seeing what the Ravens do with their pass-catching group this coming season, and all eyes are on Rashod Bateman as he assumes the role as the #1 wide receiver. Yesterday, the Ravens posted an episode of “Studio 44” featuring Bateman as Marlon Humphrey’s guest, and they discussed Bateman’s mentality going into the season.

“It’s my time. Baltimore drafted me for a reason.”

Tune in now to Studio 44 with @marlon_humphrey and @R_bateman2!

: https://t.co/rzQ1rYJEyp pic.twitter.com/yXWCoZaHpX

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 23, 2022

How do you feel about playing with @Lj_Era8?

“I want bro to win a Super Bowl, for sure!”

Don’t miss @R_bateman2 on Studio 44 today at 11 a.m.: https://t.co/0XHQRmTh2E pic.twitter.com/bMMS7WWokX

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 23, 2022

I admire the confidence from Rashod Bateman…can’t wait to see year 2 pic.twitter.com/hrlnCF7G7c

— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) May 23, 2022

The whole interview was great, and you can watch it on the Ravens’ YouTube page, but those clips capture a lot of things I love about Bateman. He seems to have fully embraced the “bounce back” mentality of so many guys in that locker room, but at the same time carries himself with a calm composure that gives me confidence in his ability to handle the spotlight. Spoiler alert, not everything he said is going to sit well with Ravens fans, though; he did say he looked up to a former Steelers wideout that caused quite a stir among fans and teammates alike.

https://t.co/ET405OEn6y pic.twitter.com/0UpDtAedGY

— Tony Jefferson II (@_tonyjefferson) May 23, 2022

OTAs are also going to be a time for undrafted free agents to fight for potential roster spots. Yesterday, the team announced another UDFA signing who won’t have very far to go to get to work.

The @Ravens just officially signed UDFA @NavyFB LB @diegofagot54.

He was the hero of last year’s Army-Navy game. (via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/wIz2twwPDi

— NFL (@NFL) May 23, 2022

Former Midshipman Diego Fagot will add some needed depth at linebacker while some guys bounce back from injury, and I know a lot of Navy fans were rooting for him to stay local. The standout linebacker won the MVP in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, and even if he doesn’t land on the final 53, I think he’ll add some good competition for the guys in-house. In a corresponding move, the Ravens needed to make room on the roster, and released another undrafted player in safety Chris Moore.

Per league’s personnel notice, the Ravens cut safety Chris Moore, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia State. They needed the roster spot after signing both DE Brent Urban and ILB Diego Fagot from Navy.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 23, 2022

Jeff Zrebiec has been doing a good job staying on top of the most recent personnel moves, and he did a really nice write-up of some of the developing storylines going into OTAs. Media members will be able to return to the facility tomorrow, so I’d expect to see more team news after today.

The Ravens will start OTAs this week with multiple unresolved questions

via @TheAthletic https://t.co/ql9DJllp2A

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) May 23, 2022

As you peruse the team news, though, I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t caution you about the other stories you’ll see circulating. Because it’s the doldrums of the NFL offseason, we’re right in the thick of “stir the pot” season, and this piece from Peter King caught my eye (and the ire of a lot of Ravens fans).

Will Lamar Jackson show up for OTAs in Baltimore this year? https://t.co/wV7A3qfYjk

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 23, 2022

There are so many things I could say about this article, but I’ll limit myself to saying that it’s much ado about nothing. Regardless of Lamar Jackson’s attendance at a voluntary workout, the article is about 80% speculation. The remainder glosses over or downplays statements by both Lamar Jackson and the front office about their intentions going forward, and it reeks of trying to drum up controversy.

You don’t have to take my word for it, but for your consideration, here’s the article PFT posted a whopping 11 minutes later.

Cardinals opening OTAs without Kyler Murray in attendance. https://t.co/whn3twUoUi

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 23, 2022

It’s going to be a long offseason.

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