Ravens star Mark Andrews faces potential release after his infamous drop ended Baltimore’s playoff run
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is entering the final season of his four-year, $56 million deal, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be playing home games in the Charm City next season.
Asked about Andrews’ future at Tuesday’s pre-draft news conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta remained noncommittal.
‘I never know what’s going to happen,’ DeCosta told reporters. ‘And I would never want to say this or that.’
DeCosta wasn’t taking a shot at Andrews, who is coming off a crushing 27-25 divisional-round playoff loss to Buffalo that effectively ended when he dropped a 2-point conversion in the end zone with 1:33 remaining.
Rather, DeCosta was supportive of Andrews, while admitting there is a chance the career Raven could be moving elsewhere.
‘I can tell you this,’ DeCosta said. ‘Mark Andrews is a warrior. He’s played his butt off for us.
Mark Andrews is seven years into his NFL career in Baltimore, but his future is uncertain
Mark Andrews is coming off a 27-25 divisional-round playoff loss to Buffalo that effectively ended when he dropped a 2-point conversion in the end zone with 1:33 remaining
‘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. So, there’s always a lot of unpredictability with the draft. You just never know.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to Andrews’ agent for comment.
The Ravens did pick up Andrews’ $4 million roster bonus on March 17, but could still save $11 million in cap space by cutting or trading him.
His cap figure for next year sits at $16.9 million, which ranks third on the team behind quarterback Lamar Jackson ($43.5 million) and linebacker Roquan Smith ($23 million).
And for as good as the 29-year-old Andrews has been over seven years in Baltimore, his production has ticked down since his career-high 107 receptions in 2021.
Last season Andrews had a career-low 39.6 receiving yards per game while being targeted just 69 times across 682 snaps.
And for a team with five picks over the first four rounds of a tight end-heavy NFL draft, the Ravens could have other options.
In addition to likely first-round picks like Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland, there are a number of mid-round options, such as Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, LSU’s Mason Taylor, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, and Texas’ Gunnar Helm.
There could also be a considerable market for Andrews if he were to be waived. The New York Jets, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos are just a few of the teams with room on their respective depth charts for a new tight end.
