Will the Baltimore Ravens trade Mark Andrews?

After the final result from the Baltimore Ravens‘ 2024 season, multiple trade rumors have surfaced surrounding tight end Mark Andrews. A slow start to 2024 with elite play down the stretch, and Andrews was a primary option on a loaded Baltimore offense. However, his fourth quarter fumble and dropped two-point conversion attempt contributed to the Ravens’ AFC Divisional loss last season.

Andrews is going into the final season of a four-year extension he signed with Baltimore back in 2021. This coming season, his cap hit is upwards of $16 million. Isaiah Likely’s, on the other hand, is just $3.5 million.

With all circumstances noted, and Andrews’ best days probably in his rear view mirror, many have put the three-time Pro Bowler in trade rumors. This climaxed when Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta announced he’s noncommittal on retaining Andrews. While still denying that it’s unlikely to trade him, Andrews could be finding a new home by the NFL draft.

Given the history, would it be smart to trade Mark Andrews? How would Baltimore truly benefit from such move? And, which teams would take a crack at adding the former All-Pro to their disposal?

Negatives Revolving a Mark Andrews Trade

Baltimore has their fair share of reasons to let go of their tight end. He’s worked his way out of a TE1 spot he held so prominently just a few years ago. Not to mentioned, his inconsistency, playoff letdowns, and the price tag that comes with it are glaring red flags for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

On the contrary, adjusting without a top option who scored 11 touchdowns last year isn’t such an easy task. This is a player who, season after season, has given no reason to not be a primary target for Lamar Jackson.

Andrews has been his security blanket, his go-to outlet, and a red zone target for the two-time NFL MVP. Not to mention, Andrews’ value and contributions to winning have become evident. Baltimore is a slightly above-.500 team when Andrews goes for 40 or less yards in his time with Baltimore, which he’s done 37 times. In the other 66 outings, however, the Ravens are 47-19; a clear correlation.

Now, whether he can be depended upon to produce at a high level, and whether someone else in this system can fill the open void, will become the golden question. Yet as replaceable as he seems, winning without a player with over 5,000 yards and 51 touchdowns in seven seasons in this system is a much harder task than numbers can explain.

Benefits of Trading Mark Andrews

When in a position like Baltimore, it becomes more apparent that money doesn’t grow on tree’s. Nor do high level talents, but those come at a cost.

Assets like Zay Flowers, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum and other key contributors aren’t extended long term, and their asking price won’t be cheap. So when a team’s TE1 could be dealt and save the team $11 million in cap space, the idea sounds enticing.

Though he got things going in the second half of the season, Andrews began the season as a non-factor. In his first four games, he accumulated just 65 yards on six catches. And even though he improved, he went under 40 yards five more times in 2024; his play hasn’t improved back into its old form since a 2023 season-ending ankle injury.

Not to mention, Andrews’ playoff catastrophe wasn’t the first time he underperformed when it’s mattered most. He dropped a crucial pass in the 2019 Divisional Round, and is still looking for his first postseason touchdown. If his production and usage continues to decrease, a non-playoff performer with $11 million on the books might not be the best fit for the Ravens anymore.

Possible Landing Spots for Mark Andrews

If Baltimore does decide to trade Mark Andrews, these three teams that should be calling the Ravens.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have been known as a possible destination since trade rumors surrounding Andrews began. Los Angeles won 11 games last season, although they flamed out in the postseason. The Chargers defense does provide more stability, and they have a run game to take pressure off of the passing attack. However, the pass catchers a year ago were far from an elite level.

Andrews would fit right in with Los Angeles. He’d take attention off of Ladd McConkey at receiver, and produce as a red zone threat. A versatile pass catching asset for a franchise quarterback that desperately needs more receiving help around him, Andrews is a perfect fit in Los Angeles.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle just had one of its funkier offseasons in recent memory. They traded away quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf. They also released Tyler Lockett, and appeared to be entering a rebuild. However, that same week, they signed QB Sam Darnold on a three year contract worth over $100 million.

That move showed Seattle still wants to contend in an NFC West up for grabs. After winning 10 games last season under first year head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks are looking for an interior pass catcher to surround Darnold.

To fill the voids left by the missing Metcalf and Lockett, Seattle signed Cooper Kupp and are “promoting” Jaxson Smith-Njigba into a larger role in the offense.

Andrews would complement Darnold well, a conservative thrower who doesn’t always have confidence in his deep ball. Andrews could create a dynamic two-tight end set with Noah Fant and adds value as a run-blocker. If Seattle is still looking to match its divisional foes, adding Andrews would be a great first step.

New York Jets

The once-great, now dwindling hopes of Jets fans has been a true shock to most NFL analysts. A team last season with a four-time NFL MVP quarterback, the Jets failed to compete for a postseason position. They finished with a 5-12 record despite one of the league’s most talented rosters.

Now seemingly stuck in NFL purgatory with another new QB, tight end is a position of need. Some analysts have New York selecting one with their seventh overall pick. If they decide to look elsewhere, however, Andrews could be dealt on draft night.