Ravens Bet Big on Mark Andrews - But Was It the Right Move?
Just days before a pivotal Week 14 clash with the Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens made a major commitment to one of their most trusted offensive weapons. Tight end Mark Andrews inked a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension - a deal that will make him the fifth-highest-paid tight end in the league next season. That’s a serious investment in a player who has been a cornerstone of this offense, but it also raises some tough questions about timing, value, and the future of the position in Baltimore.
Let’s start with the obvious: Mark Andrews has earned his place in Ravens history. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in both receiving yards and touchdowns.
He’s been Lamar Jackson’s go-to target for years, a reliable presence in the middle of the field and a red-zone weapon who’s helped shape the identity of this offense. When a player like that is heading toward free agency, it’s hard not to lock him up - even if the price tag makes you pause.
But here’s where it gets complicated.
The Price of Loyalty
At 30 years old, Andrews is entering a phase of his career where most tight ends start to slow down. That’s not speculation - it’s a trend we’ve seen across the league for years. And while Andrews is still a capable blocker and a savvy route-runner, his production has started to show signs of decline.
Take Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. Andrews was targeted five times but came away with just one catch for five yards.
He also found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time on a critical fourth-down play in the red zone, inadvertently deflecting what looked like a game-winning touchdown away from DeAndre Hopkins. Now, the play design certainly deserves some scrutiny - two receivers running overlapping routes in the back of the end zone is asking for traffic - but the optics weren’t great for Andrews in his first game since securing that new deal.
Meanwhile, Likely Is Making His Case
While Andrews struggled, second-year tight end Isaiah Likely continued to make a strong impression. He hauled in four of his six targets for 25 yards and a touchdown, and he arguably should’ve had another score if not for a controversial ruling on what looked like a completed catch in the end zone.
Yes, Andrews has outproduced Likely this season - 341 yards and five touchdowns compared to Likely’s 248 yards and one score - but it’s worth noting that Andrews has been held under 25 receiving yards in seven games this year. That’s not the kind of week-to-week impact you want from a player commanding top-five money at his position.
And while Andrews is still a high-level blocker and a trusted presence in the locker room, the Ravens have to ask themselves: are they paying for what he was, or what he will be?
A Tightrope Act for Baltimore’s Front Office
This is where things get tricky for GM Eric DeCosta and the Ravens’ front office. On one hand, letting Andrews walk in free agency would’ve been a tough pill to swallow - especially with his chemistry with Lamar Jackson and his track record in the red zone. On the other hand, committing nearly $40 million to a tight end entering his 30s, particularly when you have a younger, cheaper, and increasingly productive option in Likely, is a gamble.
And that gamble could have ripple effects. If Andrews’ play declines and Likely ends up finding success elsewhere - either because the Ravens can’t afford to keep him or don’t have the snaps to justify it - this extension could look a lot worse in hindsight.
Still Productive, But No Longer Elite?
Let’s be clear: Andrews is still a good player. He’s still capable of making plays, especially in the red zone, and he brings value as a blocker that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet.
But is he still a top-five tight end in the NFL? That’s a tougher argument to make right now.
And when you’re paying top-five money, that distinction matters.
The Ravens are betting that Andrews can maintain a high level of play into his 30s - something that’s far from guaranteed at a position that takes a physical toll. If he can stay healthy and continue to produce in key moments, this deal could age just fine. But if his role continues to shrink and Likely’s star continues to rise, Baltimore may find itself second-guessing this move down the line.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a reckless extension - it was a calculated risk. The Ravens chose continuity, leadership, and proven production over potential and cap flexibility.
That’s a defensible decision, especially for a team chasing a Super Bowl. But it’s also a decision that comes with real risk, and Sunday’s performance was a reminder of just how thin the margin can be.
Mark Andrews has earned the respect and trust of this organization. Now, he’ll have to prove - week in and week out - that he’s still worth the investment.