New theory casts familiar but unfair spotlight on a Ravens mainstay
As much as we're all eagerly awaiting the Baltimore Ravens' regular season and a Week 1 primetime affair vs. the Buffalo Bills, we'd be willing to place a wager. No one would love to get back on the field and wipe the slate clean more than Mark Andrews does.
The conversations about him have gone on since time ran out on the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round. Most know why. That angle has been overmentioned. Three months later, it's still hard to bring him up without someone mentioning what happened during the most recent Ravens playoff push.
Here's what some don't understand. No one feels worse about the Mark Andrews drop than Mark Andrews himself. What's worse is he'd better be ready. As he enters his eighth season, he's probably going to hear more about it. No, wait. He already has.
An unfair spotlight returns to Ravens veteran as a recent theory gains traction
ESPN recently offered 2025 NFL power rankings. That attached an intriguing question. Who is under the most pressure on each team this season?
Jamison Hensley is among the NFL Nation reporters who contributed. You've probably already guessed who he mentioned, correct? Here is what he had to say about tight end Mark Andrews.
"He is entering the final season of his four-year, $56 million contract after dropping a critical two-point conversion in a 27-25 division round loss to Buffalo. Andrews led all TEs with 11 touchdowns last season, but he averaged 39.6 receiving yards per game in 2024, his worst total since his 2018 rookie season."
It's easy to agree with and against this theory, but for different reasons on both sides.
Make no mistake. Andrews is under a lot of pressure, but so is everyone else. This team is too talented to endure early exits during every postseason. Baltimore's longtime tight end is also in a contract season, along with fellow TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, but being at the end of his current deal isn't why Andrews is mentioned here.
If we're being honest, sure, Andrews' drop and fumble in last January's Divisional Round game are just as much a part of this team's history as missed field goals in Foxborough and bombs in the Mile High City. It still isn't fair to describe those low moments as if they are the only parts of his legacy.
He has been a great Raven. Three Pro Bowl mentions since 2018 and a First-Team All-Pro nod aren't on his resume for no reason. No one wants to redeem himself more than Andrews. Many believe he will, and for good reason. Cue the season-long revenge tour.
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