Ravens GM gives big hint about future of TE Mark Andrews

Throughout the offseason, NFL reporters and analysts have mentioned that the Baltimore Ravens could trade or release veteran tight end Mark Andrews this offseason. 

Per Sarah Ellison of "The Vault: A Podcast Covering the Baltimore Ravens," Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta seemed to offer a farewell to Andrews while speaking with reporters at the NFL combine on Tuesday. 

"I think Mark Andrews is a great player," DeCosta said. "We're blessed to have three really good tight ends under contract this year. ... Mark's gonna go down as one of our great players. He'll be in the Ring of Honor someday."

Andrews turns 30 in September and showed during the 2024 season he can still offer plenty to an advertised Super Bowl contender. According to ESPN stats, he finished Week 18 of this campaign with a team-best 11 touchdown catches. He was second among Baltimore players with 55 receptions and third on the club with 673 receiving yards. 

As DeCosta alluded to, however, the Ravens also have tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar under contract for 2025. Likely, who turns 25 in April, recorded 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns over 16 games this past season. Logic suggests Baltimore will make Likely its new TE1 if the club part ways with Andrews. 

"I love having Mark on the team," DeCosta continued. "He's an awesome player. I know he's going to have an amazing season. We'll figure out all the roster machinations over the coming weeks, but I can tell you, there's no bigger fan of Mark Andrews than me. He's been a blessing to have on the team."

Andrews is the all-time leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history, so it would be somewhat of a shame if his final game with the organization involved him losing a fumble and dropping a pass on a late two-point conversion play in a postseason loss. Nevertheless, DeCosta probably said plenty about the situation when he declined to confirm that Andrews will be on the Baltimore roster in September.