The Baltimore Ravens have been on one of the more unpredictable rollercoaster rides of the 2025 NFL season. What started as a 1-5 stumble out of the gate suddenly turned into a five-game win streak that had fans daring to whisper “playoffs” again. But just as quickly as the momentum built, it came crashing down with a gut-punch of a loss to the Bengals on Thanksgiving-a game that exposed more than just a few cracks in the foundation.
Now, with the postseason still technically in play but far from guaranteed, the Ravens face a looming offseason that promises to be just as challenging as anything they’ve encountered on the field. A long list of pending free agents is waiting on the other side of 2025, and at the top of that list sits a franchise cornerstone: Mark Andrews.
Mark Andrews and the Uncertain Future in Baltimore
It’s hard to imagine the Ravens’ offense without Mark Andrews. For the better part of the last decade, he’s been more than just a reliable tight end-he’s been Lamar Jackson’s safety valve, red zone weapon, and emotional leader on the field. But as this season winds down, there’s a very real possibility that Andrews is playing his final snaps in purple and black.
Through 12 games this year, Andrews has posted 37 catches for 332 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers may not jump off the page, especially compared to his peak seasons, but they don’t tell the whole story. He remains one of the most trusted targets in Baltimore’s scheme, and his impact goes well beyond the box score.
Andrews now holds the franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns-an impressive trifecta that cements his legacy in Ravens history. Across 116 regular-season games, he’s racked up 473 catches, 5,862 yards, and 57 touchdowns. That’s elite production by any standard, and it’s come with three Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro nod to his name.
But the NFL is a business, and business decisions don’t always favor sentiment or legacy. Andrews, now 30, is one of three tight ends on the roster without a contract for 2026.
The other two? Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar-both younger, both cheaper, and both showing flashes of long-term potential.
The Tight End Dilemma
It’s a tough spot for the Ravens. On one hand, Andrews is still the most polished and productive of the trio. On the other, committing significant cap space to three tight ends in today’s NFL is a luxury most teams can’t afford-especially one with other roster holes to patch.
There’s no denying that Andrews has slowed a bit from his peak, but he’s still a high-level contributor. The question is whether Baltimore can justify keeping him around when the future seems to be pulling in a different direction.
Likely has had his ups and downs since entering the league, but his athleticism and versatility give him a ceiling worth betting on. Kolar, meanwhile, hasn’t carved out a major role as a pass catcher yet, but he’s shown enough in flashes to remain in the conversation. Neither has matched Andrews’ production, but both are younger and under team control.
The Ravens are staring down a classic NFL crossroads: reward the veteran who’s given everything to the franchise, or pivot toward the future with the younger, cheaper options. It’s not an easy call, but it’s one that could define the next phase of Baltimore’s offensive identity.
What Comes Next
If this is the end of the road for Andrews in Baltimore, it’ll mark the close of an era. He’s been more than just a stat-sheet stuffer-he’s been the emotional heartbeat of the offense, a trusted voice in the locker room, and a player who showed up when it mattered most.
But the NFL doesn’t slow down for anyone. And as the Ravens look ahead to 2026, they’ll have to make some hard decisions-none tougher than deciding whether their all-time leading tight end still fits into the picture.
One thing’s for sure: whether Andrews stays or goes, his legacy in Baltimore is secure. But in a league that’s always looking forward, the Ravens may soon be turning the page.