Tight end was one of the LA Chargers' biggest roster needs heading into the offseason and nothing has changed one week into free agency. The Chargers have not added a tight end yet this offseason and even lost one with Stone Smartt signing with the New York Jets.
Los Angeles made a play for Evan Engram but were beat out by the Denver Broncos. An already thin tight end market is even worse than it was a year ago, leaving the Chargers scrambling for an improvement at a key position of need.
There was hope among Chargers fans that Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews would be the answer to the team's wishes. Andrews appeared to be a potential cap casualty, and at the very least, could have been a trade target for the Bolts.
Fans circled Sunday, March 16 as the deadline for an Andews decision because of his 2025 roster bonus that was due. Unfortunately for the Bolts, Baltimore bucked the expectation and paid Andews his full $4 million roster bonus.
Mark Andrews is no longer a tight end option for the Chargers
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, who is on the Ravens beat, said that this does not completely take Andrews off the trade block. Zrebriec said it would take a "legit offer", speculating that it could take a third-round pick at least.
If Zrebiec's estimation is correct then there is no chance the Chargers will trade for Andews. The team seemingly wasn't interested in trading a second-round pick and extending DK Metcalf. While the cost for Andrews is cheaper (both in the trade return and a new contract), the fact remains Andrews will be 30 during the 2025 season and may start regressing.
Andrews is still one of the best tight ends in the sport but his best days may be behind him. Based on what Chargers fans have seen over the last year, it's pretty safe to say the Bolts won't commit multi-year resources to an aging player.
The Chargers are left without many options now that Andrews is off the table. There is also speculation Dallas Goedert could be cut, which would be a fantastic addition to the Chargers offense.
There is also the two-headed tight end monster of Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in the 2025 NFL Draft. The hope is that one of the two tight ends will fall to the Bolts but nothing is guaranteed with the 22nd pick.
The 2025 class is fairly deep at tight end but taking a mid-round tight end to play a big role is always risky. For every tight end that works out there are multiple tight ends who end up like Tre' Mckitty.