Baltimore Ravens face scrutiny over tight end performance and contracts

The Baltimore Ravens are facing scrutiny over their decision to prioritize veteran tight end Mark Andrews over former teammate Isaiah Likely, who has seen significant success since joining the New York Giants.

Through five games of the 2026 campaign, Likely has recorded 284 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 33 catches, nearing his total production from the previous season. In contrast, Andrews, 31, has struggled with consistency and physical decline. Critics point to a recent performance against Atlanta where Andrews' errors, including a dropped touchdown and a fumble, contributed to a significant scoring swing.

Questions have also been raised regarding the contract extension granted to Andrews by general manager Eric DeCosta. The deal, worth $13 million annually and guaranteeing $35 million through 2027, is being viewed by some as a poor evaluation of a declining player, especially as Likely has secured a comparable deal elsewhere while performing at a higher efficiency level.