Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews had multiple gaffes in the AFC Divisional Round that ultimately cost the team a potential win and raised significant doubts about his future with the club. Andrews’ long-term outlook seemed even more uncertain because of the looming Isaiah Likely contract extension.
Likely, who turns 25 in April, is entering the last year of his rookie contract. While he’s never eclipsed 500 receiving yards in a season, the 6-foot-4 tight end has averaged 12.3 yards per reception with 11 touchdowns in 33 games over the last two years. It’s led to a widespread belief that only one of Likely or Andrews receives a new long-term deal.
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- Mark Andrews stats (ESPN): 55 receptions, 673 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, 12.2 yards per reception, 39 first downs
Andrews, who will be 30 in September, also has a penchant for coming up short in the postseason. While he’s averaged 53.2 receiving yards per game with a 69 percent catch rate and 8.8 yards-per-target average during the regular season, those numbers slip to 39.4 yards per game with a 54.7 percent catch rate and 5.9 yards per target in the playoffs. On top of all that, cutting Andrews before June 1 would create $7 million in cap space.
However, according to Sportskeeda‘s Tony Pauline, those involved with Andrews and the Ravens organization “do not believe” Andrews will be cut and there’s a shared confidence that the Pro Bowl tight end will be playing for Baltimore next season.
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- Mark Andrews contract (Spotrac): $16.907 million cap hit in 2025
Part of the rationale for the Ravens is likely tied into how Andrews performed down the stretch in the regular season. Following a slow start – 6 receptions for 65 yards in 4 games – Andrews totaled 49 receptions for 608 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his final 13 contests. During that run, Baltimore had a 10-3 record.
Strengthening the likelihood of a return to Baltimore, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta offered a glowing endorsement of Andrews as a member of the franchise.
“Mark is a great player…. Mark will be in a ring if honor someday. I love having him on the team. We’ll figure out all the roster mechinations in the coming weeks but nobody is a bigger Mark Andrews fan than me.”
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta on tight end Mark Andrews
Keeping Andrews also provides quarterback Lamar Jackson with another reliable offensive weapon, one he has a close relationship with and fully supported after the playoff drop. While a contract extension seems unlikely for Ravens heading into his age-30 season, he should be on the field for Baltimore in Week 1.
