Introduction
Mark Andrews is one of the most prominent tight ends in the NFL, known for his athleticism, red-zone prowess, and consistent production. Over his career with Baltimore Ravens, he has become a central figure in their offense — and in late 2025, the Ravens rewarded that contribution with a new contract extension. But Andrews’ journey has not been without setbacks: injuries, shifting target shares, playoff frustrations, and a painful dropped pass in the 2025 postseason have all shaped recent chapters of his career. In this article, we break down the key facets of Andrews’ career right now — his extension, injury history, advanced stats (PFF and other metrics), his playoff performance, and the infamous drop that ended the Ravens’ season.
Contract Extension: Security and Sign of Trust
In December 2025, the Ravens and Mark Andrews agreed on a new three-year extension worth US$39.3 million, with US$26 million guaranteed, ensuring that the veteran tight end remains a cornerstone of Baltimore’s offense.
This extension comes at a moment when Andrews has already established himself as the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches — the so-called tight-end “Triple Crown” for the franchise.
Despite a crowded tight end room and evolving offensive schemes, the Ravens’ management clearly values Andrews’ reliability, leadership, and playmaking abilities. As general manager Eric DeCosta stated, Andrews remains “a top competitor and Pro Bowl tight end who is also a big part of our Baltimore community.”
This contract extension provides both security for Andrews and continuity for a Ravens offense that often leans on tight end production — signalling that Baltimore expects him to continue being a major part of their offensive identity for seasons to come.
Injury History: Setbacks and Comebacks
While Andrews has generally enjoyed a successful and productive career, injuries have occasionally derailed his seasons.
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During the 2023 season, he suffered a significant ankle injury — a cracked fibula plus ankle ligament damage — after a tackle in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. That injury required surgery (November 21, 2023) and put him on injured reserve, ending his regular season prematurely.
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Before that, he had also missed the Week 1 game of 2023 against the Houston Texans due to a quad issue.
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Despite these injuries, he was activated off injured reserve on January 26, 2024 — just in time for the playoffs.
These injuries demonstrate both the physical toll of NFL life and Andrews’ resilience. Coming back from ankle surgery to contribute indicates a strong commitment to the game, but such setbacks inevitably affect rhythm, target volume, and potentially long-term durability.
PFF & Advanced Metrics — Efficiency, Use, and 2024 Trends
To fully understand Mark Andrews’ standing in the league and within his team, it’s helpful to look beyond raw receptions and yards — and examine advanced stats and usage, as tracked by analytics outlets such as Pro Football Focus (PFF), as well as metrics around target share, yards per route run, and red-zone usage.
Career & 2024 Season Overview
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In 2024, Andrews saw a significant dip in target share — down from 22–28% (2019–2023) to about 15%, ranking 20th among tight ends.
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That said, he remained extremely efficient when targeted. His average yards after catch (YAC) and yards per target remained among the best at his position. Historically, he’s “never finished lower than fifth in YPRR” — a testament to his route-running, athleticism, and catch-and-run ability.
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Interestingly, Andrews led all tight ends in touchdowns (TDs) for the 2024 season, finishing with a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns — vividly illustrating his continued red-zone value.
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Yet, the high TD rate came with a tradeoff: his overall yards and receptions were down compared to his 2021–2022 elite seasons. That TD dependency raises questions about sustainability if red-zone opportunities shrink.
In short: when the ball comes his way, Andrews remains one of the most productive tight ends in the league. But the reduction in targets means his overall usage has dipped, shifting perhaps from a “bell-cow” TE1 to more of a situational weapon — especially in red-zone scenarios.
Playoff Performance: 29 Catches, 315 Yards — But No Touchdowns
When pressure is highest, postseason performance often defines a player’s legacy. Here’s how Andrews stacks up in the playoffs so far: across 8 playoff games, he has recorded 29 receptions on 53 targets, totaling 315 receiving yards, but zero touchdowns.
That comes out to an average of roughly 39.4 yards per game — respectable, but not elite, especially for a top-tier tight end expected to produce in big moments.
Some context:
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His playoff average (≈ 39.4 yards/game) is noticeably lower than many of his regular-season averages.
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For a player with proven red-zone acumen and TD-dependency in 2024, the absence of a single playoff touchdown in 8 games stands out.
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Overall, his postseason performance — while consistent in terms of catches and yardage — has lacked explosive scoring impact, which many would expect from a premier tight end.
That said, playoff numbers depend heavily on game script, quarterback play, opponent defensive schemes, and opportunity. But the cold fact remains: 8 games, no postseason TDs — a storyline that matters for both Ravens fans and fantasy/NFL analysts.
The Dropped Pass: Moment That Defined 2025 Postseason
Perhaps nothing in recent memory has overshadowed Andrews’ skills more than the critical dropped pass in the 2025 divisional round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. With 1:33 left on the clock and the Ravens down by two, Andrews had a chance on a two-point conversion to tie the game — and potentially send it to overtime. He dropped the pass as he fell backward in the end zone. Moments later, the Bills recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock, ending Baltimore’s season.
To make matters worse, Andrews also fumbled a would-be first-down catch earlier in the fourth quarter — his first turnover since 2019.
In the aftermath:
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Andrews publicly addressed the mistakes on social media, writing that he was “absolutely gutted,” apologizing to teammates, coaches, and fans — and promising to “use this adversity” as motivation for the future.
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The reaction was emotionally charged — fans and media alike criticized the missed chance, given how reliable he’d been in past seasons. Some even suggested this dropped pass would overshadow all his prior accomplishments.
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Nonetheless, supporters emerged too — including a surprising show of solidarity from some Bills fans, who started a fundraising campaign benefitting a Type 1 diabetes charity (Andrews has spoken in the past about his own diagnosis).
The fallout from that error shows just how high the stakes are in the NFL — one catch (or drop) can dramatically shape narratives, careers, and legacies.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Mark Andrews?
Given his contract extension, elite efficiency, red-zone value, and veteran presence, Andrews is clearly still a priority for the Ravens. But several factors will determine how the next chapters unfold:
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Target share: Can Andrews regain a larger share of targets? His dip to ~15% in 2024 suggests the Ravens offense may increasingly spread passes across other playmakers or lean on the run — but as long as he remains efficient, fewer targets might still yield strong production.
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Health and durability: After serious ankle surgery in 2023, staying healthy will be crucial. Less availability could impact rhythm and chemistry in the offense.
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Mental resilience and redemption: The dropped pass was painful — but Andrews’ public vow to bounce back shows resilience. If he channels that into improved performance, future playoff opportunities could erase the sting of 2025.
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Usage strategy: The Ravens may continue to deploy him as a red-zone specialist — maximizing TD potential — or shift to more balanced target distribution depending on quarterback play and offensive scheme.
Ultimately, Andrews’ extension is a sign of continued faith from Baltimore, but the coming seasons will test whether he can convert that faith into impactful, consistent output — and maybe, postseason redemption.
FAQs
Q1: What is Mark Andrews’ current contract with the Ravens?
He signed a three-year extension in December 2025 worth US$39.3 million, with US$26 million guaranteed.
Q2: Has Andrews been injury-prone?
He suffered a major ankle injury (cracked fibula & ligament) in 2023, requiring surgery and placing him on injured reserve. He returned in early 2024.
Q3: How does PFF rate Mark Andrews? Is he still efficient?
Yes — despite fewer targets in 2024, Andrews remains among the most efficient tight ends in the league. His yards per route run and yards-after-catch remain elite.
Q4: What are Mark Andrews’ playoff career stats?
Through 8 playoff games, he has 29 receptions on 53 targets for 315 yards (≈ 39.4 yards/game), but has yet to record a postseason touchdown.
Q5: Why was the dropped pass in 2025 so significant?
It came on a two-point conversion late in the divisional playoff game — the score would have tied the game and possibly sent it to overtime. The drop, combined with an earlier fumble from Andrews, ended the Ravens’ season.
Conclusion
Mark Andrews remains one of the most talented and productive tight ends in the NFL — a player whose talent, red-zone acumen, and athleticism have earned him both franchise records and a lucrative extension. But the last couple of seasons underscore how fragile greatness can be: injuries, reduced target share, and a high-profile playoff mishap have complicated his narrative.
Still, in Baltimore, the trust remains intact. The three-year contract extension signals confidence from the Ravens that Andrews will bounce back. If he can stay healthy, reclaim a larger target share, and regain postseason form, there’s every reason to believe he’ll ride back into elite TE1 status — and maybe even rewrite the painful ending of 2025 into the prelude for a comeback story.
