Ravens TE Mark Andrews signs 'substantial' extension on his birthday

Former Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews received a sizable 26th birthday gift as the Baltimore Ravens and former Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews have agreed to terms to a four-year $56 million contract, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“Sources: The #Ravens and Pro Bowl TE Mark Andrews have agreed to terms on a substantial extension, with Andrews getting a 4-year deal worth $56M,” Rapoport said. “The $14M APY means he’ll make more money through 4 years than any other TE in the league.”

NFL Network’s Mark Garafolo made an observation on Andrews’ contract.

“Happy birthday, Mark Andrews,” Garafolo said. “Got a four-year extension whereas the #Ravens often do five-year deals (not to mention George Kittle signed for five as well). So that means Andrews is under contract through age 30. So reasonable to assume he’ll have a shot at another big payday.”

The average of $14 million per year ranks third among tight ends behind only George Kittle ($15 million) and Travis Kelce ($14.3 million), per Spotrac.

Andrews is entering his fourth season with the Ravens. In his career, Andrews has recorded 156 receptions for 2,105 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per catch. In four playoff games with the Ravens, Andrews recorded 15 catches for 139 yards.

Last season, Mark Andrews caught 58 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns.

At Oklahoma, Andrews recorded 1,765 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns over three seasons. As a junior, Andrews recorded 958 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per reception helping Oklahoma to a College Football Playoff appearance, where the Sooners lost to Georgia 54-48. Andrews was the second-leading receiver for the Sooners behind Ravens teammate Marquise Brown.

Mark Andrews played wide receiver coming out of Desert Mountain High School in Arizona. Andrews had 68 receptions for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, 81 receptions for 1,494 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior, and 58 receptions for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. Andrews set the Arizona high school career record for career receptions, but the record has since been broken.

With Andrews locked in for the next four seasons, the Ravens now turn attention to quarterback Lamar Jackson’s next contract, though Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh previously said there’s not a hurry on it.

“Nothing has changed in the sense of it’ll happen when it’s going to happen [and] when it’s best for both sides to happen,” Harbaugh said. “Both sides want it to happen. There’s really not a hurry on it.”

In 37 games as a starter, Jackson has led the Ravens to a 30-7 record and won unanimous MVP in the 2020 season.

Jackson, Mark Andrews, and the Baltimore Ravens open the 2021 season against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, Sep. 13.