OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta delivered some intriguing comments on Tuesday regarding tight end Mark Andrews as the team builds toward the upcoming draft. When pressed about Andrews’ future with the team, DeCosta chose to keep his cards close to the vest, saying, “I never know what’s going to happen. And I would never want to say this or that. But I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior. He’s played his butt off for us.”
Andrews, who is 29 years old, is approaching the final year of a four-year, $56 million deal. Last season was certainly a challenging one for him, as he averaged just 39.6 receiving yards per game, marking the toughest stretch of his career since his rookie season in 2018. The low point came during the AFC divisional-round playoff game against Buffalo, when a crucial dropped 2-point conversion could have shifted the game’s outcome in the final moments. Such events have sparked chatter around whether the Ravens might consider trading him during the draft.
However, let’s not forget that Andrews is a three-time Pro Bowl tight end and the go-to target for quarterback Lamar Jackson. After seven seasons in Baltimore, he has made a significant mark in franchise history, ranking third all-time with 436 receptions—just 36 catches shy of the team’s record—and collecting 5,530 receiving yards, which places him second overall (only 248 yards away from the franchise mark). Last season, he also became the Ravens’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions, hitting the 51-mark for his career.
DeCosta highlighted Andrews’ value to the organization, stating, “His competitiveness, his talent, his attitude, his leadership is so valued here. He’s a great player. And I think we’re in the business of keeping as many great players as we can.” He continued, acknowledging the unpredictability that comes with the draft, hinting that while decisions are made, the team looks to retain key players.
On March 17, the Ravens picked up Andrews’ $4 million roster bonus, bringing his salary cap number to $16.9 million, which ranks third on the team. If the Ravens decided to move on from Andrews, they could create $11 million in cap space. Nonetheless, there’s depth in the tight end room with rising star Isaiah Likely, who stepped up significantly last season, reaching career highs with 42 receptions, 477 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Likely is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could be in line for an extension given his contributions, particularly during Andrews’ injury spells.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Andrews’ future with the team at the recent annual league meeting. “I do fully expect him to be playing for us next year,” Harbaugh declared. “He’s just too good a player. Mark would be one of the few guys I would expect to be here, so we’ll see what happens. My plans are that we’ve got Mark, we’ve got Isaiah, we’ve got Charlie [Kolar], and we’ve got Pat Ricard all in place doing all those jobs.”
Switching gears, DeCosta also provided an update on running back Derrick Henry’s potential contract situation. Henry had a stellar first season in Baltimore, racking up 1,921 rushing yards—ranking 11th for the most in a single season—and setting a new franchise record with 18 rushing touchdowns. The 31-year-old is slated to make $6 million in the final year of his contract, which sits in the top five for running backs in 2025. Recent high-profile extensions, including Saquon Barkley’s two-year, $41.2 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, certainly factor into the conversation as the Ravens navigate their roster strategy.
“We have a lot of different balls in the air right now,” DeCosta remarked, when asked about the situation. “That’s probably what I would say on that. I’m not going to talk about what we’re doing, what we’re not doing behind the scenes business-wise with these guys. I don’t think it’s good for me to do that.”
With the NFL draft rapidly approaching, both Andrews’ and Henry’s situations add layers of intrigue for Ravens fans. As Baltimore looks to bolster its roster and field a competitive team, keeping their stars in the fold will be paramount to maintaining momentum heading into the new season.
