The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs last year but it was clear that they were short on playmakers. Ladd McConkey had a tremendous rookie season, catching 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. But Quentin Johnson (55 catches, 711 yards, 8 TD) and Josh Palmer (39 catches, 584 yards, 1 TD) left a lot to be desired, leading Los Angeles to make changes this offseason.
The Chargers reunited with Mike Williams, who had a disastrous year with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. But they also could use another playmaker even if Keenan Allen makes his rumored return to Los Angeles. Most of the marquee options have dried up as teams enter the second week of free agency but Mark Andrews is an interesting trade target who could give the Chargers what they need.
Mark Andrews Contract News Could Lead To Los Angeles Reunion
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec pointed out that Andrews’s $4 million roster bonus triggered over the weekend. While there was a possibility he would be released by the Baltimore Ravens, they decided to keep him on the roster with a caveat.
“Ravens picked it up, which isn’t surprising,” Zrebiec said. “They were never going to release Andrews. Could they trade him? Perhaps but would take a legit offer.”
Few tight ends have been more productive since Andrews entered the league in 2018, catching 436 passes for 5,530 yards and 51 touchdowns over seven seasons. The 29-year-old was also extremely productive last season catching 55 passes for 673 passes for 11 touchdowns.
The Ravens are an AFC contender as long as they have Lamar Jackson at quarterback and Andrews’s $16.9 million cap hit doesn’t cripple Baltimore’s cap situation with $12.6 million in space for next season. But there is an underlying factor with how last season ended. With a chance to tie the game on a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter of a divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Andrews dropped the pass, leading to a 27-25 defeat.
Andrews has not spoken to reporters since the loss and it’s created an uncertain future in Baltimore. Zrebiec later clarified that he believed that it would take Day 2 pick in order to acquire Andrews. But he could be worth monitoring, especially if he wants a change of scenery.
This scenario would make the Chargers an ideal landing spot. Andrews is already familiar with Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was the Ravens’ tight ends coach when he came into the league and was offensive coordinator from 2019-22. But Andrews may also have a fan in the front office as Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortitz served as the director of college scouting from 2009-18.
Those aren’t the only familiar faces in Los Angeles. Bradley Bozeman and J.K. Dobbins were former teammates with Andrews in Baltimore and Jim Harbaugh’s appetite for smashmouth football is similar to that of his brother and Ravens head coach John.
That leaves a couple of hurdles. The Ravens presumed asking price of a third-round pick may be too high – even with 10 selections in the upcoming draft. Andrews is also in the final year of his contract with no guaranteed money and may require a contract extension, which is dangerous for a player who will turn 30 in September.
If the two sides budge, Andrews could become a Charger. But it’s a standoff for now that could leave Los Angeles to search for playmakers in the upcoming draft.