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Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the media on Tuesday morning, dropping several nuggets of information in the process. One such reveal being that the team has had preliminary contract discussions with Pro Bowl TE Mark Andrews.
DeCosta said that they have had preliminary discussions about a contract extension with Mark Andrews. Andrews' agents also represent Orlando Brown Jr., so DeCosta has spent plenty of time on the phone with them this offseason.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 9, 2021
Andrews was drafted by Baltimore in the third round with the 86th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Andrews immediately made an impact as a rookie as he shattered the Ravens’ receiving yards record for a rookie tight end with 552 yards, previously set by Maxx Williams in 2015. Andrews quickly ascended to the top of his position, becoming one of the best tight ends in the league in his second season, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in the process. Andrews has been the favorite target of MVP QB Lamar Jackson since their rookie seasons, specifically in the red zone where he has caught 20 touchdowns in three seasons to with 2,105 receiving yards.
Browns TE Austin Hooper was the last big signing at the position, signing a four-year contract worth $42 million, with an average annual salary of $10.5 million last offseason. Baltimore would be wise to keep Jackson’s favorite target around for the foreseeable future, especially considering the lack of premier receiving options on the offense.