A Baltimore Ravens player not named Lamar Jackson is on the cusp of making history: tight end Mark Andrews could soon set a new franchise record for most receiving yards in a season.
Andrews is 15 yards shy of breaking Michael Jackson’s 1,201-yard record season that Jackson set back in 1996 when Vinny Testaverde was quarterback.
Playing with as many as three quarterbacks this season, Andrews has been as dominant as ever, hauling in 93 catches for 1,187 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games.
His 93 catches have already broken franchise records, marking the second-most receptions in a single season in Ravens history (Andrews trails Derrick Mason, who recorded 103 receptions in 2007).
Andrews has been enjoying a career-best 2021 year, but breaking the Ravens receiving record would be one of his most impressive feats by far.
Ravens C Bradley Bozeman said TE Mark Andrews "has turned Beast Mode this year." He's just 15 yards away from breaking the Ravens' single-season receiving record.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 29, 2021
"He's gonna be one of the best to ever do it."
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is about to make history in Week 17
Andrews told Sports Illustrated:
"“I think I’m like 15 yards away, which is pretty cool. Someone said it’s been around for like 26 years, and that’s a big thing. That’s something where your name is stapled into an organization and a franchise, and not many people get that opportunity.”"
Andrews will be sure to make the most of this opportunity on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite falling to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, the Ravens could still give themselves a good shot at the postseason with a win against the Rams in Week 17.
This is easier said than done, considering the Rams’ powerful offensive weapons in Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp.
But Andrews has been just as busy as Kupp, recording 50-plus receiving yards in seven straight games. That’s the longest active streak among tight ends and the second-longest overall streak behind none other than Kupp (who’s at an incredible 16 straight games).
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Baltimore, Andrews basically has that receiving record in the bag. All he needs is 15 yards, which will be easy pickings for the team-leading receiver in 2021.
Andrews would rather finish with a team victory than a new franchise record, but why not both?