A little more than four months removed from his infamous dropped 2-point conversion in the Ravens’ divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills last season, Mark Andrews called the ignominious if not vexing moment “motivation” for the season ahead.

“It’s tough,” he said at voluntary organized team activities Wednesday in Owings Mills in what were his first comments to reporters since the 27-25 defeat at a snowy Highmark Stadium that ended Baltimore’s bid for a Super Bowl title in January. “This is my life. I’ve put a lot of work into this and everything I do is focused on that, everything I think about is focused on that, and so it wasn’t the way that I had planned it, but that’s all part of the story.

“I’ve been using it, and I’ve had an incredible offseason, and I’m excited just to show what I can continue to do and continue to prove myself and step up in big moments. And that’s the thing about sports is that it doesn’t always fall your way. It doesn’t always go your way, but it’s how you bounce back.”

That story was a stunning moment, for the veteran and star tight end and the Ravens.

In the defeat to Buffalo, Andrews also lost a fumble midway through the fourth quarter shortly after crossing midfield that the Bills turned into what ended up being the decisive field goal. Still, the Ravens had a chance to tie the game after Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely on a 24-yard touchdown with 1:44 remaining.

But as Jackson rolled right on the 2-point attempt and Andrews came open at the goal line, Andrews bobbled and dropped the ball as he fell backward into the end zone on the slick turf.

After the game — one in which Baltimore had three turnovers, including two by Jackson — Andrews was not made available to reporters. He also didn’t appear at locker cleanout at the team’s facility the next afternoon.

Later that week, Andrews posted a statement on Instagram, saying he was “absolutely gutted” by what happened and that he was “devastated” for his teammates.

Meanwhile, trade speculation swirled almost immediately once the loss set in.

Andrews, who will turn 30 in September, is entering the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract. Likely, 25, is also in the final year of his rookie contract, as is fellow tight end Charlie Kolar, 26, and being able to extend all three players is unfeasible, particularly with the need to address other extensions, including one for Jackson.

General manager Eric DeCosta finally put Andrews trade speculation to bed when he said during the draft that he fully expected him to be on the team this season, but Andrews’ future beyond 2025 remains uncertain at best.

Andrews is coming off a year in which he became the franchise leader in career touchdowns, but he averaged just 39.6 receiving yards per game, his lowest mark since his rookie year in 2018. He also counts $16.9 million against the salary cap, the third-highest mark on the team behind only Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith, and there have yet to be discussions about an extension.

Asked about whether he expected to be back this season or whether he expects an extension, Andrews demurred, saying he’s just focused on helping the team and that the cards will fall where they may.

“It’s not for me to deal with that,” he said. “I thought Eric had a great way to say it — he’s in the business of keeping great players and, for me, I’m a great player.

“I think I’ve been able to do it at the highest level, the best of the best for a long time and I’m not slowing down.”

Unsurprisingly, Likely was just one player glad to see Andrews back on the field for what was a well-attended two-hour practice on Wednesday.

“That’s big brother,” Likely said of Andrews. “I’m glad everybody’s speculation died down.”

It also wasn’t the first time since that defeat to the Bills that the two tight ends had spoken. After the game, Likely said he texted Andrews. He wanted to let him know that one moment does not define a career.

“I said don’t let one play really let you forget that you’re an All-Pro,” Likely said. “Everybody knows how fantastic Mark’s been, making plays since before I even got here.

“Him being him, he’s gonna take it all in, let the moment happen and just be a pro.”

That includes moving beyond the loss to the Bills.

“As a professional, it’s all about being able to move past it but storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end,” Andrews said. “This is something I’m going to work with, and get better and improve and move on.”

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