Ravens TE Duo Not Worrying About Future Contracts

The Baltimore Ravens have benefited from having the NFL's best tight end duo the past two seasons with three-time Pro Bowl veteran Mark Andrews and rising star Isaiah Likely who are two of the most talented pass catchers at the position in the league.

Unfortunately, the 2025 season will most likely be their last playing together in Baltimore as every returning member of the Ravens' tight end room is heading into the final year of their respective deals. Also included is Charlie Kolar was taken ahead of likely in the 2022 NFL Draft and five-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard who was re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason.

In the months following the end of the Ravens 2024 campaign, there was constant speculation about whether Andrews would still be on the team to play out the final year of his deal. Many wondered if the team would be willing to trade him before the 2025 NFL Draft or outright release him as a salary cap casualty. The rumors and outside noise about his future with the team beyond the upcoming season never affected or distracted him from his focus during the offseason.

"Whatever the cards are played, they're played," Andrews said. "I focus on myself and this team and let the other stuff deal how it's going to be dealt with. But I'm extremely excited to be here, this is an incredible organization, I'm very thankful to be here for my eighth year and it's awesome to be here."

Andrews' confidence in his ability to continue to produce at a high level hasn't waivered coming off a 2024 season in which he led the team with 11 receiving touchdowns and became the franchise's all-time leader in touchdowns. When asked if he'd like to have an extension worked out sooner rather than later if at all, he reiterated the notion that "it's not for me to deal with that."

"I thought [General Manager] Eric [DeCosta] had a great way of saying he's in the business of keeping great players. And, for me, I think I'm a great player," Andrews said. "I think I've been able to do it at the highest level [with] the best of the best for a long time, and I'm not slowing down."

Even though his friend and veteran mentor is the far more accomplished player of the two, Likely is one that most pundits and fans believe and want to be prioritized over him, given his age at 25 years old and his career trajectory.

Despite only getting to start when Andrews has been unavailable or limited due to injury and not playing a full-time role during his first three seasons, Likely's production has increased each season as has his connection with franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. He has been on the receiving end of some of the two-time MVP's best extended passing plays over the past few years.