ExtremeRavens Posted 5 hours ago Posted 5 hours ago In a contract year meant to create competition at tight end, Mark Andrews has reminded everyone that he’s still the standard, an “all-time Raven,” as described by general manager Eric DeCosta. Late Wednesday evening, the two parties inked a three-year contract extension worth $39.3 million that will pay Andrews $26 million in guaranteed salary. This somewhat surprising in-season extension was a merit-based decision rooted in reliability and Andrews’ decorated resume. Andrews, 30, already is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (473), receiving yards (5,862) and receiving touchdowns (56), the holder of Baltimore’s triple crown. He also leads the Ravens this season with five receiving touchdowns across 37 catches and 332 yards, even amidst an offense that has sputtered in stretches and endured several weeks without a fully healthy Lamar Jackson. Andrews’ average of 27.7 yards per game leaves much to be desired, but that might be more reflective of Baltimore’s inconsistent offense and 28th-ranked passing attack. When the Ravens need a steadying presence, Jackson often still looks to No. 89. If Jackson were ever to appear on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” there’s a high chance that Andrews might be on his “Phone A Friend” contact list. Andrews’ extension arrived in a season in which Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar were supposed to make their own cases as they entered the final year of their rookie deals. It wasn’t long ago that Likely, another close friend of Jackson’s, was considered the franchise’s next great tight end. But after he suffered a foot injury during training camp, Likely has struggled to find his stride. He entered last Thursday’s game with just 128 receiving yards. And while Likely racked up 95 yards in the Week 13 contest to raise his season total to 223, he critically fumbled away a sure-touchdown at the goal line that dramatically swung momentum toward Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Kolar has held his own, particularly as a blocker, and has made timely catches when called upon. He’s posted eight catches for 105 yards with a career-high two touchdowns. But neither tight end commands Jackson’s faith the way Andrews does. The quarterback-tight end pairing works like butter on toast. Just a smooth, reliable connection. Andrews’ age might cause concern for some fans and pundits. There’s validity to that argument. Success at the position, particularly as a pass catcher, is predicated around speed and physicality. Some might argue dedicating the money spent on Andrews toward Likely, 25, or Kolar, 26, would’ve been the more logical choice given the differences in mileage. But Andrews provides legitimate consistency and production, and Baltimore is banking that his body holds up over the next few seasons. Just a month ago, Andrews was quietly floated in league circles as a possible trade candidate — not because the Ravens necessarily wanted to move him, but because teams wondered if they could acquire a functional offensive playmaker if the Ravens might pivot toward youth at the position. “[I am] just focused on living in the now and being in the present,” Andrews said the day after the trade deadline on Nov. 5. “I know how much love and support this organization has for me, the people within the organization and what I bring to this team. “I take a lot of care of my body. That’s something throughout the years that I’ve grown to adapt to. I always say I feel better than I ever have, but truly, the way I take care of my body, the things I eat — I’ve really never felt better. I’m running faster than I ever have. I’m moving better, and I feel great.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates Mark Andrews’ touchdown catch against the Lions. Andrews has long been one of Jackson's favorite targets, but his postseason success is lacking. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) It’s been an eventful week for Andrews. On Friday night, he posted that he became engaged to his girlfriend, Elena Yates. By Wednesday afternoon, he exited the practice field in a noticeably bright mood, presumably knowing that he had $26 million in guaranteed salary on the way. In addition to his pass-catching abilities, Andrews also has become a central figure in the Ravens’ version of the “tush push,” in which the veteran tight end slides under center to take the snap. Baltimore has created variances of the play, too, highlighted by Andrews’ go-ahead 35-yard rushing touchdown on a fake “tush push” play in the team’s Nov. 16 road win over Cleveland. For all his production and leadership, though, Andrews has never scored a postseason touchdown. Andrews also infamously dropped a pass from Jackson on a game-tying 2-point try in Baltimore’s season-ending 27-25 loss to the Bills last January. Fair or unfair, those playoff moments — or failures — define careers. Entering the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Steelers, the Ravens have a 64% chance to make the playoffs, according to The New York Times’ playoff simulator. If Baltimore is indeed crowned AFC North champs for the third consecutive year by season’s end, then Andrews must deliver in the playoff moments that follow. Maybe that is the final evolution of Andrews’ storied career. He’s already the franchise’s leading receiver across several categories and he’s already Jackson’s most trusted target. Among the three in-house candidates, all in contract years, the Ravens paid the proven tight end. Now Andrews needs to make sure his next unforgettable moment doesn’t come from a critical drop, but from playoff touchdowns and victories that help rewrite his postseason story and show a passionate fan base why he deserved this extension. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article Quote
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