The clock is ticking in Baltimore, and the familiar sense of dread is starting to creep into the air around M&T Bank Stadium. At 1-4, the season is slipping away faster than a greased-up running back, and with Lamar Jackson still sidelined, the franchise is facing a harsh reality.
The Ravens, a team built on grit and a ‘next man up’ mentality, might be staring down the barrel of a full-blown rebuild. When things get this bleak, no one is safe. Not even the fan favorites.
Enter Mark Andrews.
The name itself brings a flood of memories for the Ravens faithful. Clutch third-down conversions, acrobatic catches in the end zone, a security blanket for his quarterback. He’s been a pillar of this offense for eight seasons, a constant in a league defined by change.
But in the cold, hard business of the NFL, sentimentality doesn’t win championships. And right now, the Ravens aren’t even close to contending.
Is it Time to Say Goodbye to a Baltimore Legend?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade market is heating up, and Andrews is a name being whispered in league circles. It’s a gut punch for fans, but it’s a conversation that has to happen.
At 30 years old, Andrews isn’t the explosive, game-breaking force he once was. Through five games, he’s put up a pedestrian 17 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Those aren’t the numbers of a player who can single-handedly drag a struggling team back to relevance.
The reality is, the Ravens have a younger, promising tight end waiting in the wings in Isaiah Likely. He’s shown flashes of the same playmaking ability that once made Andrews a household name.
Keeping a high-priced, aging veteran when a capable replacement is already on the roster is a luxury a 1-4 team simply can’t afford. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but trading Andrews might be the most logical move for the future of the franchise.
It’s the kind of decision that separates the good front offices from the great ones. Can you move on from a player who has given his all for the organization, even when it hurts, for the greater good?
For General Manager Eric DeCosta, the phone calls are likely already coming in from contending teams desperate for a reliable veteran presence at tight end. Getting a mid-round draft pick in return for Andrews could be a crucial piece in jumpstarting the inevitable rebuild.
Parting ways with a player like Mark Andrews would be a somber day in Baltimore. He represents an era of success and a deep connection with the fanbase. But championships aren’t won with memories. They’re won with smart, forward-thinking roster management.
The time for tough decisions is now, and trading Andrews might just be the first, most painful step toward a brighter future.
The Harsh Realities of a Rebuild
The trade of defensive end Odafe Oweh to the Chargers was the first domino to fall. It sent a clear signal: Baltimore is open for business. The Ravens are a team that historically avoids handing out massive contracts to edge rushers, and with Oweh in the last year of his rookie deal, they cashed in their chip.
While some experts, like Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports, believe it’s not a full-blown fire sale just yet, the writing is on the wall.
Now, the focus shifts. Could another All-Pro be on the move? Linebacker Roquan Smith, the heart and soul of the defense, signed a massive $100 million extension in 2023. Trading him seems unthinkable, but in the NFL, “unthinkable” is just another Tuesday.
Smith hasn’t been his dominant self since 2023, and with a long list of players needing new contracts, freeing up that cap space could be tempting. Crabbs speculates it would take a package similar to what the Ravens gave up for him, a second and fifth-round pick, to even start a conversation.
For the Ravens, it’s a painful but necessary evaluation. Do they hold onto beloved veterans in a desperate attempt to salvage a lost season, or do they rip the band-aid off and start stockpiling assets for the future?
Future of Ravens’ Secondary Shouldn’t Involve These Corners
This might be a hot take, but I think if the Ravens want to think about the future of their secondary, players like Marlon Humphrey (29) and Chidobe Awuzie (30) don’t belong. Although both are coming off injury, I just think if Baltimore drops another game or two after the bye week, you have to at least consider moving off, even if one of them is a former All-Pro and the other is a free agent signing from the offseason.
The same can even be said for Lamar Jackson’s teammate currently and in college, Jaire Alexander, who is on a one-year deal, has dealt with injuries, and is 28 years old. But he could just play out the season and see where his market is at before he potentially hits free agency this coming offseason (like Awuzie).
While they have had their ups and downs this season with how bad the defense has been, players like Nate Wiggins, Kyle Hamilton, and Malaki Starks are the core trio of the Ravens’ secondary. TJ Tampa should be playing more and has shown signs of growth, as they need their young players to step up, or if anything, develop in a lost season.
Other Names on the Trade Block Potentially, Including a Running Back (or 2)
With Baltimore preferring Rasheen Ali/ Justice Hill over Keaton Mitchell due to special teams, he is on the outside looking in, unfortunately, as the uber-talented running back could be on his way out and join a team where he could get more snaps.
I don’t blame him, as he looked electric in the preseason coming off his injury, but he has had no setbacks so far. Mitchell could also be a good fit in a split backfield and not just a backup, as he is explosive enough to warrant 5-10 touches a game.
The only player on this list that I don’t think will be traded, but I had to mention, is Derrick Henry. After all, the one thing potentially keeping the season afloat is the return of Jackson in Week 8.
The King ran all over the Rams in Week 6, showing some life after a few abysmal performances without Jackson in the lineup. The 31-year-old was extended till the 2027 season, so I don’t envision the Jackson-Henry duo breaking up soon, even with how bad the season has gone in 2025.
