January 19, 2025—that’s a date Ravens fans won’t forget anytime soon. It was the night Baltimore came heartbreakingly close to a championship game, only to fall short by two points in the divisional round. After battling past the Steelers and making their way to the conference title game, the Ravens found themselves locked in a tense fourth-quarter fight against the Buffalo Bills. And then, in one fateful moment, everything unraveled.
But here’s the surprising part—when the blame started flying, it wasn’t Lamar Jackson or John Harbaugh who took the most heat. Instead, the harshest criticism landed on the man who fumbled, more than once, at critical moments: Mark Andrews.
Now, fast-forward to March 16, and Baltimore has made a move that may catch some fans off guard. According to MLFootball, “The #Ravens picked up Mark Andrews’ $4 million roster bonus that was due today, and Baltimore is unlikely to trade him.” That’s right! With this move, the team has decided to keep Andrews and effectively shut down trade speculation.
JUST IN: The #Ravens picked up Mark Andrews 4 million dollar roster bonus that was due today and Baltimore is unlikely to trade him.
Andrews is All-Pro and 3x Pro Bowler appears — the #Chargers trade speculation will be put to bed.
(NY Times 1st to Report) pic.twitter.com/UDNGxMuRm0
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 16, 2025
But before diving into what this means for Baltimore’s future, let’s revisit the play that put Andrews under the microscope. With just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Ravens were trailing 24-19 and desperately pushing for the lead. On a crucial 2nd-and-11 play from the 43-yard line, Lamar Jackson looked to his trusted tight end and fired a pass to Mark Andrews. But what happened next was a disaster. Andrews, caught between movements, lost control of the ball in ugly fashion. Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard pounced on the fumble, shifting momentum squarely in Buffalo’s favor. The Ravens never recovered, ultimately falling 27-25—just a field goal shy of a Super Bowl berth.
The backlash against Andrews was brutal, with some fans even sending him threats in the aftermath of the game. Many assumed Baltimore would move on from the three-time Pro Bowler, but that never happened. And with today’s roster decision, the Ravens have made one thing clear—Andrews isn’t going anywhere. With him entering the final year of the four-year, $56 million contract he signed in 2021, speculation was rife that the Ravens might trade him. The Chargers being the most likely destination. But by securing his roster bonus and signaling that he’s staying put, the organization has silenced those rumors.
However, this isn’t the only big move Baltimore has made recently. Just hours after the Andrews decision, the team finalized another key signing—one that directly impacts But before diving into what this means for Baltimore’s future, let’s revisit the play that put Andrews under the microscope..
Ravens sign Cooper Rush as Lamar Jackson’s new backup
With teams around the league making final roster adjustments ahead of the 2025 season, the Ravens have settled a key position—Lamar Jackson’s backup. And the answer? Cooper Rush. Baltimore has signed the former Cowboys quarterback to a two-year deal worth up to $12.2 million, replacing Josh Johnson, who entered free agency.
Rush, 31, has spent most of his NFL career with the Dallas, aside from a brief stint with the New York Giants, in 2020-21. Over seven seasons, he has played in 35 games, primarily as a QB2 behind Dak Prescott. But last year, he saw significantly more action due to Prescott’s hamstring injury.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson 8 smiles after Baltimore defeated Pittsburgh 28-14 in the AFC Wild Card game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday, January 11, 2025. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY BAL20250111141 DAVIDxTULIS
But how good is Cooper Rush? Looking at Rush’s 2024 stats, he threw 12 touchdowns—ranking 28th in the league—along with 1,844 passing yards, five interceptions, and a 60.7% completion rate. His 41.0 QBR placed him 30th among NFL quarterbacks. Throughout his career, he has mostly been a QB2, as over seven years, he has only played 35 games. The number of passing attempts he has made in the 2024 season is way more than his combined attempts from 2017 to 2023. It was only possible because of Prescott‘s brutal hamstring injury.
While his numbers don’t scream “game-changer,” he brings veteran experience and stability to the Ravens’ QB room. And while fans have mixed reactions about the move, one thing is certain—if Lamar Jackson ever has to miss time, Baltimore will rely on Cooper Rush to keep the offense afloat.
Now, all eyes turn to the upcoming season. With Andrews staying put and Rush locked in as QB2, the Ravens appear to have their core in place. The only question left is—can they finish what they started?
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