Those wondering what Mark Andrews would have to say following his role in the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Divisional Round are going to have to wait.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the three-time Pro Bowl selection wasn’t available to speak with the media following the Ravens’ season-ending defeat.
Mark Andrews wasn’t available to speak to reporters in the locker room after the game.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 20, 2025
Andrews’ absence from Baltimore’s postgame availability is notable, as perhaps no other player on the Ravens’ roster — including quarterback Lamar Jackson — would have in higher demand. But unfortunately for the 29-year-old tight end, ducking reporters won’t prevent his performance in the 27-25 from being remembered for all the wrong reasons.
With 8:50 remaining the game and the Bills clinging to 24-19 lead, Andrews caught a 16-yard pass from Jackson to move the ball into Buffalo territory for a potential go-ahead score. Only rather than running toward the end zone, the Oklahoma product attempted to sidestep Terrel Bernard, only for the Bills linebacker to strip the ball before recovering the ensuing fumble.
“HE DROPPED THE BALL! AND IT’S RECOVERED BY BERNARD! THE THIRD TURNOVER COMMITTED BY THE RAVENS!” – Jim Nantz 🏈🎙️# #NFL pic.twitter.com/zzOVIJNpF7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2025
Despite the mishap, the Ravens managed to limit Buffalo to a field game, keeping the game within a single score. And after Jackson led Baltimore on an eight-play, 88-yard touchdown drive, Andrews found himself in a position to redeem himself following his previous fumble — only to drop what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion, effectively sealing the Bills’ win.
Jim Nantz & Tony Romo on the CBS call for the Mark Andrews drop.
“THE BALL IS DROPPED! HE HAD THE 2-POINT CONVERSION IN HIS HANDS! ANDREWS DID NOT HOLD ON!” – Nantz
“Oh my goodness.” – Romo
“It’s shocking.” – Nantz
“It’s shocking… That’s caught 999 out of 1,000.” – Romo https://t.co/Hcs8sQaey9 pic.twitter.com/CuWAPZ609w
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2025
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jackson took responsibility for his role in the loss, which included committing two costly turnovers (one interception and one fumble) in the first half. The same, however, can’t be said of Andrews, who wasn’t available to speak with reporters at either the postgame podium or in the locker room following the game.
While the circumstances regarding Andrews’ media availability — or lack thereof — aren’t totally clear, the Pro Football Writers of America’s policy on postgame access calls for “immediate access to all players for the sole purpose of conducting interviews” in both teams’ locker rooms following a cooldown period of 10-15 minutes. Absent of any other explanation, it’s reasonable to assume the 2021 first-team All-Pro simply wasn’t in the mood to talk to the media following the defeat.
If Andrews was, in fact, ducking the media due to the disappointing nature of his performance, he wouldn’t be the first NFL player to do so and he certainly won’t be the last. Still, the reality is that speaking to reporters — win or lose — is a part of the job Andrews is getting paid $7 million a year, plus incentives, to perform. And it’s an especially tough a look for the tight end when compared to Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker’s willingness to address his midseason struggles head on.
