Mark Andrews has survived an offseason full of uncertainty and painful memories. Despite another successful campaign in 2024, should the 29-year-old be worried about his role in Baltimore‘s offense this season? Will Isaiah Likely encroach even further on Andrews’ snap share? With those questions in mind, Around The NFL‘s Nick Shook named Andrews as a “make-or-break” candidate who must deliver in 2025.
Mark Andrews Heading Into ‘Make-or-Break’ Season Without Extension
Even though his 2024 campaign ended on a sour note, Mark Andrews set a new career-high with 11 touchdown receptions. Andrews started slow, tallying just 6 catches for 65 yards during their first 4 games. He didn’t even reach the end zone until Week 6. But, he finished strong, setting the franchise’s all-time touchdowns record during their Week 15 drubbing of the Giants.
His connection with Lamar Jackson has been as strong as possible since they entered the league together in 2018. That connection should help Andrews during this “make-or-break” season, as the two are clearly comfortable together.
“I have a guy with me,” Jackson said after Andrews broke the record. “He is a guy, right there, one of the GOATs to just play football ever, I believe. Just entering the league together, and from then to now, it’s like each and every year, we’re just trying to get better and perfect our craft from years previous, and I believe we’re doing that.”
Baltimore Ravens Editorial Director Ryan Mink called Andrews “a model of consistency,” pointing to his track record of scoring “at least five touchdowns every season since his rookie year.”
“People were talking about this and that. ‘We need to trade Mark,’ this and that,'” Jackson said. “I didn’t forget that, and I know he didn’t forget that, and he’s just showing it each and every game.”
But, with up-and-coming tight end Isaiah Likely ready to take over a larger share of the snap count this season, Andrews is on the hook to deliver in 2025.
“A strong campaign will fetch quality offers elsewhere, too, but if Andrews wants to spend his entire career in Baltimore, he could make that a reality by crushing it in 2025,” writes Around The NFL‘s Nick Shook.
Will the Ravens Choose Isaiah Likely as Their Tight End of the Future?
As Shook also points out, the Ravens’ front office may view Likely as a better option “from a roster-building perspective.” Even with Andrews’ experience, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has high expectations for Likely heading into 2025. If Likely outshines Andrews during this “make-or-break” season, will the Ravens part ways with their all-time touchdowns leader?
We got a glimpse of what the Ravens’ offense may look like with Likely in place of Andrews in 2023. After Andrews suffered a season-ending ankle injury during their Week 11 win over the Bengals, Likely stepped up. During their final 6 games, Likely recorded 21 receptions for 322 yards and 5 touchdowns. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns during that stretch.
With both tight ends heading into the final years of their contracts, Baltimore could decide to utilize more 12 personnel. As Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports points out, the Ravens have enjoyed, by far, the most success utilizing 12 personnel.
“Baltimore posted +96.52 expected points added (EPA) out of their 12 personnel package in 2024 — not only is that the highest EPA output for a 12 personnel package of the past 20 years, the Ravens essentially lapped the field,” writes Crabbs. “There have only been half a dozen teams since 2005 to post a single-season EPA of higher than +50 out of this personnel grouping.”
Likely’s entering 2025 as the most underrated tight end in the league, according to Jared Dubin of CBS Sports. The 4th-year pro should be ready to emerge as a rising star in 2025. But, Mark Andrews should be able to put last year’s drop behind him and put together a solid 2025 campaign. The 29-year-old should be ready to re-establish himself as a top tight end during this “make-or-break” season.
Ravens’ All-Time Touchdowns Leader Entering ‘Make-or-Break’ Season in 2025