The future for Mark Andrews as a Raven becomes more clouded as General Manager Eric DeCosta does not commit to retaining the tight end.
Speculation over the offseason sprouted with regard to Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. As he enters the final year of his contract, which carries a $16.9 million cap hit on the cap-strapped team, rumors emerged of the Ravens considering moving Andrews, or team’s considering a trade for the franchise’s all-time receiving touchdowns leader.
During the NFL Owners Meetings, Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked if he fully expects Andrews to be on the team. Harbaugh was adamant in stating they will retain him.
“I do fully expect him to be playing for us next year,” Harbaugh said. “He’s just too good a player.”
But during the Ravens’ pre-draft press conference, General Manager Eric DeCosta was non-committal and avoidant when asked the same question.
“I never know what’s going to happen,” DeCosta said. “I never want to say this or that. But I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior and he’s played his butt off for us and his competitiveness and his talent, his attitude, his leadership is so valued here and 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.”
Trading Andrews saves the Ravens $11 million in cap space. Uniquely though, the Ravens kept Andrews on the roster for his $4 million roster bonus on March 17. They kept him on the roster during the early stages of free agency where they may have been able to trade him and spend the savings on a potential free agent signing.
All of the actions by the Ravens have shown they are keeping Andrews, but DeCosta being non-committal regarding Andrews’ status for the 2025 season has left the door open for a potential trade during the 2025 NFL Draft.