Should the Ravens Bid Farewell to Their Franchise Tight End?
With the 2025 NFL offseason now underway, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a tricky financial situation as they aim to continue addressing potential roster weaknesses through free agency or the NFL Draft. However, the Ravens currently do not have much wiggle room regarding cap space flexibility. As of Friday, February 21st, the Ravens have $12.9 million available in cap space entering the offseason. It is important to note that this is better than expected, as they initially appeared to have only $5.9 million before the NFL’s recent announcement of a higher-than-expected salary cap range for next season. While the increase in cap space is great news for Baltimore’s front office, the Ravens could look to generate even more financial flexibility by exploring various scenarios, such as extending eligible players to new contracts, making cuts, or possibly seeking a trade to free up additional funds.
One of the most prominent names rumored to be on the chopping block for a possible trade is franchise tight end Mark Andrews, who has been at the forefront of many people’s minds. Entering the 2025-26 season, Andrews is expected to carry a cap hit of nearly $17 million. If the Ravens were to part ways with their all-time franchise touchdown leader, the team would save around $11 million in cap space for the 2025 season. However, the decision of general manager Eric DeCosta to execute such a trade is easier said than done. Both DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh quickly defended Andrews following his disappointing playoff performance against the Bills in the Divisional Round. Harbaugh expressed strong support for their star tight end, stating during the end-of-season press conference, “Mark is a huge part of our future, and we love him and we're there for him.”
Since being drafted in 2018 out of the University of Oklahoma, the former Sooner has been quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite and most relied-upon target in the regular season, as both entered the league at the same time. With Jackson throwing his way, Andrews has posted impressive career stats, recording 379 receptions, 4,829 receiving yards, and 48 touchdown catches with the two-time MVP at quarterback. Their connection has been particularly strong in the end zone, highlighted by Andrews’ high touchdown totals, including a career-high 11 touchdown grabs last season. Despite his regular season success, the 29-year-old has struggled to perform consistently in the playoffs. In eight playoff games, Andrews has recorded only 29 catches on 53 targets for 315 receiving yards, with no touchdowns and a lost fumble.
As a result, the question has begun to emerge within the Ravens fan base: should the team seriously consider trading away their star tight end, or run it back in hopes that Andrews will come up clutch in the playoffs? The biggest argument for finding a suitable trade partner for Andrews is the emergence of fellow star tight end Isaiah Likely. In his first three NFL seasons, Likely, who is 24 years old, has quickly become a reliable pass-catching threat, helping create what is arguably the best tight end group in the NFL with Andrews. At six-foot-four, Likely has been able to use his height advantage to make contested catches and punish defenses when they focus on stopping Andrews, leaving Likely open for big plays.
Last season, Likely had his best year yet, finishing with 477 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, and he delivered in the postseason with seven catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. With Likely’s quick rise since being drafted, some fans wonder if it’s time for the Ravens to make the Coastal Carolina alum their official number-one tight end. The decision to trade Andrews will not be easy, but if the Ravens do decide to part ways with their seven-year starter, they must ask whether it's time to move in a new direction with Likely as the face of the tight end room. Alternatively, they could give Andrews one last chance to prove himself on the brightest stage in the postseason, as he enters the final year of his contract next season.
