Ravens' Andrews moving past playoff drop, trade rumors: 'Thankful to be here'
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews acknowledged it was a difficult offseason for him after his crucial mistake in last season's playoffs, but he says he's used it as motivation.
Andrews dropped the potential game-tying two-point conversion late in January's divisional-round defeat to the Buffalo Bills. He also fumbled on the Ravens' previous drive.
"It's tough," Andrews said Wednesday when speaking to reporters for the first time since the loss. "This is my life. I put a lot of work into this. Everything I do, everything I think about, is focused on that. So, it wasn't the way that I had planned it, but that's all part of the story. I've been using it, and I've had an incredible offseason.
"I'm excited to show what I can continue to do, and continue to prove myself and step up in big moments. That's the thing about sports: It doesn't always fall your way, doesn't always go your way, but it's how you bounce back."
Andrews was the topic of trade rumors throughout the offseason as he's entering the final year of his contract, while fellow Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has emerged. Andrews turns 30 in September.
The three-time Pro Bowler said he's grateful to still be in Baltimore.
"I'm extremely excited to be here," he said. "This is an incredible organization. I'm very thankful to be here for my eighth year."
When asked if he'd like to have a new deal signed before the 2025 campaign begins, Andrews left it in general manager Eric DeCosta's court.
"It's not for me to deal with that," he said. "I thought Eric had a great way of saying it. He's in the business of keeping great players, and, for me, I think I'm a great player. I think I've been able to do it at the highest level, the best of the best, for a long time, and I'm not slowing down."
Andrews scored a personal-best 11 touchdowns in 2024. However, he's yet to reach the end zone across eight career playoff games as the Ravens have continually come up short in their quest for the Super Bowl.