Entering the final year of his contract, Mark Andrews wants to cherish this season and not stress over his future.
Asked if he envisioned being a free agent next offseason, Andrews said he was trusting a higher power.
"You've got to trust God," Andrews said. "For me, it's not looking too far ahead, it's living in the moment, being present. I'm thankful to be here this year, to be able to compete for this organization, compete for this city. It means so much to me. I just want people to know that. It really means everything to me. I'm excited about it."
Andrews is the franchise's all-time leader in touchdown catches with 51, and his chemistry with Lamar Jackson has been a driving force in Baltimore's offense for seven seasons. However, with Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar all entering the final year of their contracts, the Ravens have major decisions to make at the position on the horizon.
Andrews will turn 30 years old on Sept. 6, one day before the Ravens' regular-season opener. Whether or not it's his final season with the Ravens, Andrews wants to make sure it's a special one.
"You never know what's going to happen," Andrews said. "There's a lot of mouths to feed. [But] incredibly excited for this year, to be able to play here."
Andrews Says Opening Season at Buffalo Will Be a 'Great Story'
Much has been said about the Ravens starting the 2025 regular season in the same place where their 2024 season ended in heartbreak.
Visiting the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 will return the Ravens to the site of their divisional playoff loss in January. Andrews lost a fumble and dropped a potential game-tying two-point conversion in that game, making the defeat particularly painful for him.
The rematch will be on Sunday Night Football, and Andrews knows his return will be a huge part of the storyline. Asked if he was looking forward to that matchup, Andrews was to the point.
"It's going to be a great story," he said. "I'm excited about that game."
There was speculation that Andrews might be traded during the summer, which would have been a difficult way for his terrific tenure with the Ravens to end. Andrews said he remained laser-focused on preparing for the season.
"I try not to look outside the box often," Andrews said. "I know the type of player I am, the type of man I am. All those things looking forward, I know they're going to help me grow, get better, be the player I'm meant to be, and get to that end goal which I'm incredibly focused on."
Nnamdi Madubuike Plans to Play at Higher Weight
A year after getting a lot of extra attention from offensive linemen, Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is better prepared for heavy lifting.
Madubuike said he wants to play between 290 and 300 pounds this season, a year after he said he was between 285 and 290. He has already put on more muscle, and his target is to carry about 5-8 additional pounds this season.
After logging 13 sacks in 2023, Madubuike dipped to 6.5 last season. The high amount of double teams that he took was part of the reason and was also a sign of opponents' respect. He still earned a second straight Pro Bowl nod and helped his teammates get one-on-ones.
"It was frustrating at times, but I made an emphasis this offseason to find ways to get stronger in the weight room and even add a little more weight because I know they're going to be sliding," Madubuike said.
"It's a good thing. I appreciate it. But I definitely want to keep being productive and being the player I know I can be."
Ronnie Stanley Trained With Jay Glazer
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is now the Ravens' longest-tenured player, yet the veteran keeps looking for new ways to hone his craft.
Stanley, who signed a three-year extension with the Ravens this offseason, trained with FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer, who is also a fitness fanatic and owner of the Unbreakable Performance Center gym in Los Angeles.
Glazer incorporates a lot of wrestling and mixed martial arts into his training, as well as focuses on mental health. He's trained many NFL players, including one of the best offensive tackles in football in the Eagles' Lane Johnson. It was Stanley's first time training with Glazer.
"I just think being able to get better at different things and different muscle groups doing different activities," Stanley said. "One of those things, like Greco wrestling, can really help offensive and defensive linemen working in those positions."
