Mark Andrews is already the Ravens' career touchdowns leader. Now he's on the precipice of claiming another major franchise record.
Andrews is just 18 yards shy of becoming the Ravens' all-time receiving yards leader. Derrick Mason posted 5,777 yards in purple and black from 2005-2010. Andrews currently sits at 5,760 yards.
Andrews has a real shot at making history Sunday in Minnesota when the Ravens take on the Vikings. Andrews said he and the Ravens' other tight ends haven't talked about him closing in on the record. In typical Andrews fashion, he's locked in.
"Nothing's been said and nothing needs to be said," Andrews said. "Obviously, this is a very important game for this organization, for us, and we need to win this game – that is what's most important. It's kind of just a cherry on top."
Andrews has been a model of consistency in Baltimore, along with one of Jackson's most trusted targets since they came into the league together in 2018.
Andrews' biggest season came in 2021, when he posted 107 catches for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns. He hasn't been the clear focal point of Baltimore's receiving attack the past couple years, and fellow tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have become bigger parts of the offense. But Andrews has still been productive with his opportunities. His 11 touchdowns last year led all NFL tight ends.
Last season ended in brutal fashion for Andrews, but he's been the same reliable player he's always been this season.
"I think for me it's always been [that] I've been extremely hungry – no matter the instance of practice, games – I'm fighting, I'm clawing, I'm trying to get better," Andrews said. "I want to win. That's what it's all about – is winning. So, I've been hungry since the second I got here, and that hunger is never going to leave."
While Andrews got off to another sluggish start this season with seven receiving yards through the first two games, he scored two touchdowns last week in Miami.
In his eighth season and now 30 years old, Andrews will forever be remembered as one of the Ravens' greatest pass catchers. But he doesn't feel close to the end.
"I always say I feel better than I ever have, but truly, the way I take care of my body, the things I eat – I've really never felt better," Andrews said. "I'm running faster than I ever have. I'm moving better, and I feel great."
New Pass Rusher Dre'Mont Jones Will Play Immediately
Dre'Mont Jones called being traded to the Ravens the "craziest moments of my life," and this week isn't going to slow down.
Jones is taking a crash course in Ravens defense as the team tries to get him up to speed to play in Sunday's game in Minnesota.
Harbaugh said the deal for Jones "has been in the works for a while" and that there are similarities to the system run in Tennessee and his style of play is a good fit. Jones' defensive coordinator with the Titans, Dennard Wilson, was the Ravens' defensive backs coach in 2023.
"We absolutely will get him weaved into [the game plan] right away and he'll be playing on Sunday," Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh Sees a 'Real Fighter' in J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy returned to action last week after missing more than a month with a high ankle sprain, and provided a spark to the Vikings in their 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions.
McCarthy went 14-of-25 for 143 yards passing and two touchdowns, and he also ran nine times and for another score.
The 2024 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) only has three NFL starts under his belt after a knee injury cost him his rookie season, but Harbaugh is impressed with what he sees.
"The biggest thing about J.J. that I've watched over the years is the guy is a fighter," Harbaugh said. "He is just a real fighter. He's a never-say-die guy. He never says die within a play, he never says die within a series, never says die within a game, never says die within a season."
Harbaugh does have a little extra knowledge of McCarthy, given that he played three years for Harbaugh's brother, Jim, at Michigan. John spent some time around that program, including during its run to the national title in 2023.
A Big Game This Weekend for Alohi Gilman
Navy will travel to South Bend this weekend to take on No. 10-ranked Notre Dame, and it will have special significance for Ravens safety Alohi Gilman.
Gilman played his freshman season at Navy and was part of the 2016 team that knocked off the Fighting Irish, 28-27.
He then transferred to Notre Dame when the federal government changed the rules on whether athletes could defer their service obligation until after their professional sports careers were done.
After sitting out one year because of the NCAA's transfer rules, Gilman was part of the 2018 and 2019 teams that routed the Midshipmen.
He said he teased his teammates on both sides that he was undefeated when playing against them.
"A lot of my fellow guys from Navy and their brotherhood there has reached out to me, and [we're] just still reconnecting there, so it's a special feeling being back here, because I have some connections here," Gilman said. "This is where I started. [I was an] island boy [who moved] all the way out to the East Coast, and now I'm back here, and it's a pretty cool journey."
