You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve probably checked the fantasy box scores and wondered if the guy you drafted in the second round back in 2022 is ever coming back. It’s the $39 million question in Maryland right now. Is the Baltimore Ravens Mark Andrews era actually fading, or is he just the victim of a system that outgrew its "safety valve" phase?
Honestly, the way people talk about Andrews these days makes it sound like he’s 45 years old. He’s 30. He just signed a massive three-year extension in December 2025. Eric DeCosta doesn't hand out $26 million in guarantees to guys he plans on phasing out. But if you look at the 2025 stats—48 catches for 422 yards—it’s easy to see why the "washed" narrative is gaining steam.
Let's get real for a second. The Ravens' offense changed. Todd Monken stopped treating the tight end like a mandatory first read and started treating the field like a chessboard.
The Isaiah Likely Problem (That Actually Isn't One)
Everyone loves a "new kid on the block" story. Isaiah Likely is flashy. He’s fast. He looks like a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. When Andrews went down with that nasty ankle/fibula injury against the Bengals in late 2023, Likely stepped in and looked like the future.
People assumed 2025 would be a 50/50 split. Or worse, a passing of the torch.
But here’s what the casual observer misses: Baltimore Ravens Mark Andrews is still the superior blocker. By a mile. In the 2025 season, Andrews was consistently grading out as a top-three run-blocking tight end in the NFL. When you have Derrick Henry in the backfield, you aren't putting a guy on the field just because he runs a nice slant. You're putting the guy out there who can seal the edge and give "The King" a lane.
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The stats are deceptive. In 2025, Andrews’ average depth of target (ADOT) dropped to 7.5. His yards after catch? A career-low 2.0.
That’s not because he lost a step. It’s because he was asked to be the "dirty work" guy. While Likely was running clear-outs and vertical routes, Andrews was chip-blocking elite edge rushers before leaking into the flat for a 4-yard gain. It’s unselfish football. It’s also what keeps Lamar Jackson upright.
Why the $39.3 Million Extension Matters Right Now
If the Ravens thought Andrews was done, they would have let him walk into 2026 free agency. Instead, they locked him up through 2028.
Why? Because of the "Triple Crown."
Earlier this season, Andrews officially became the Ravens’ franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He passed Derrick Mason. He’s the greatest pass-catcher this organization has ever had.
- Total Career Receptions: 484
- Total Career Yards: 5,952
- Total Career TDs: 56
The contract reflects his value as a "Raven for life." But it’s also a strategic cap move. By extending him, the Ravens lowered his 2026 cap hit to about $6.9 million. That gives them the flexibility to potentially re-sign Likely, who is hitting free agency. The Ravens aren't choosing one over the other; they’re trying to build a permanent two-TE nightmare for defensive coordinators.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Slow" 2025 Season
If you’re a fantasy manager, you’re probably still bitter. I get it. Andrews had a stretch in late 2025 where he went four straight games without breaking 30 yards.
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But look at the context. Lamar Jackson was dealing with a nagging hamstring. Tyler Huntley had to start several games. When Huntley is under center, the playbook shrinks. He’s not looking for the tight end to improvise on a broken play—the "MAndrews Magic" that we’ve seen since 2018.
The chemistry between Lamar and Andrews is basically telepathic. They joined the team together in the same draft class. They’ve grown up together. There’s a specific play—I think it was against the Lions—where Andrews was supposed to run a corner route. He saw the safety cheating, stopped dead in his tracks, and turned inside. Lamar threw the ball before Andrews even moved.
Touchdown.
You don't replace that with a faster 40-yard dash time. You replace that with years of trust.
The Reality of the "New" Mark Andrews
We have to admit one thing: He isn't the 1,361-yard guy from 2021 anymore. The 2021 season was an anomaly where the Ravens had zero healthy running backs and a decimated wide receiver room. Andrews had to be the entire offense.
Now, he’s surrounded by Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and occasionally DeAndre Hopkins. The ball is being spread around.
The Baltimore Ravens Mark Andrews of 2026 is a red-zone specialist and a third-down assassin. He caught five touchdowns in 2025 on only 48 catches. That’s a scoring rate that most wide receivers would kill for. He’s become the "closer."
The Medical Perspective
The ankle injury from late 2023 was significant. It wasn't just a sprain; it was a fracture. Most players take a full two years to really feel "normal" after a lower-leg break. If you watched him closely in early 2025, he looked a bit heavy-footed.
But by December? The burst was back. That 35-yard run he had against the Browns in Week 11? That was the fastest he’s looked in two years.
What to Expect in 2026
If you’re looking for a return to 100 catches, you’re going to be disappointed. That’s not the Ravens' identity anymore. But if you’re looking for a guy who will lead the team in "clutch" situations, Andrews is still that guy.
He’s the leader. He’s the guy who mentors Likely and Charlie Kolar. He’s the guy who "mother-f’s" everyone when the intensity drops in practice. You can't quantify that in a box score, but you can see it in the win-loss column.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Stop comparing him to 2021. That version of Andrews was a volume-heavy necessity. The current version is a tactical weapon. Look at his red-zone target share, not his total yardage.
- Watch the "12 Personnel" frequency. If the Ravens re-sign Likely, expect Andrews to play more of a traditional "Y" role (attached to the line) while Likely plays the "F" (slot/move). This actually makes Andrews more dangerous in play-action.
- Monitor the O-line health. Andrews is often kept in to block when the Ravens' tackles are struggling. If Baltimore upgrades the offensive line in the 2026 Draft, Andrews will be "unlocked" to run more routes.
- Value the "Lamar Factor." As long as #8 is the quarterback, Andrews will always have a floor of 5-7 targets in high-leverage games.
The narrative that Andrews is "declining" is mostly a fantasy football complaint. In real-world NFL terms, he remains one of the three most important players on a championship-caliber roster. He’s not going anywhere, and the Ravens are better for it.