NFL News: Ravens GM makes strong admission on Mark Andrews' future after costly dropped catch

Last NFL season, Mark Andrews went from hero to villain. The Baltimore Ravens‘ fate could have been altered by the controversial play involving the tight end, and as a result, his future with the franchise could be in jeopardy moving forward.

Eric DeCosta, the franchise’s General Manager, is one of the key figures responsible for making high-stakes decisions. This time, he addressed the media regarding Andrews’ situation, sharing his thoughts on the potential future — or departure — of No. 89.

“Oh man, I never know what’s going to happen. And I would never want to say this or that. But, I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior. He’s played his butt off for us. His competitiveness, his talent, his attitude, his leadership is so valued here. He’s a great player. And I think we’re in the business of keeping as many great players as we can.

“So there’s always a lot of unpredictability with the draft. You just never know. I don’t think we’ve traded many of our own players– I don’t know. Have we ever made a trade during the draft that we traded one of our own players?”

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta watches the game against the Cleveland Browns from the sideline at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The costly play that changed everything for Andrews

It was mid-January, and the Baltimore Ravens were facing off against the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park for the AFC Divisional title. With just over a minute and a half remaining in the game, John Harbaugh’s team had cut the deficit to two points — and had a chance to tie it up on the next play.

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Lamar Jackson, after taking the snap, spotted Mark Andrews just short of the end zone and delivered a precise pass to his tight end. But what looked like a sure completion quickly turned into a nightmare, as the ball slipped through Andrews’ hands — costing the Ravens the chance to tie the game against Josh Allen’s Bills.

What will happen with Mark Andrews?

What comes next for Mark Andrews remains to be seen. While his talent and contributions to the Ravens over the years are undeniable, the timing and impact of last season’s costly mistake have sparked conversations within the organization and among fans. With the front office evaluating all options heading into a pivotal offseason, Andrews’ role — and even his place on the roster — could be subject to change depending on how Baltimore chooses to move forward.