What Ravens QB Lamar Jackson told Mark Andrews after key drop vs. Bills
The Baltimore Ravens had a chance to tie their playoff game against the Buffalo Bills after Lamar Jackson threw a 24-yard strike to Isaiah Likely with 1:33 left in regulation.
However, tight end Mark Andrews was unable to haul in the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt. Jackson hit the veteran with an accurate pass on a bootleg to his right, but Andrews simply dropped it.
Andrews admitted it was "tough" to cope with his drop, which was ultimately the Ravens' final offensive play of the 27-25 loss that ended their season.
Jackson was aware of that in the moment. As such, he tried to do everything he could to make Andrews feel better, as the quarterback detailed in appearance on Kevin Hart's "Cold As Balls" podcast with LOL Network.
"I talked to him. I went up to him like, 'Man we all played a part in this game.' I had my turnovers. We shouldn't even be in this situation," Jackson told Hart of his interaction with Andrews. "I know you've been busting your (expletive) all season. Despite what you've been through, we're just gonna have to bounce back. We can't dwell on it."
Andrews seemingly took that message to heart. In his first media availability at Ravens OTAs, he told reporters "it's how you bounce back" when asked about the ill-timed gaffe. He also explained he is planning to use it to motivate him during the 2025 NFL season.
Jackson is similarly motivated for the upcoming season and believes the Ravens are on the verge of making a Super Bowl push.
"We're extremely close," Jackson said when asked by Hart about being a Super Bowl contender.
Jackson has played a big role in Baltimore's ascension and posted one of his finest seasons in 2024. He completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He finished as the MVP runner-up behind Bills quarterback Josh Allen and believes he will continue to improve as he reaches the prime of his career.
"As I've been getting older in the league, my mindset has been different," Jackson explained. "The game has gotten a lot easier for me."
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