Giants' $40 Million Move Has Been the Steal of the Year

During the offseason, the New York Giants signed tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million contract, with the former Baltimore Ravens pass-catcher following John Harbaugh to the Big Apple.

Likely never got much of a chance in Baltimore, as he was playing behind Mark Andrews for the first four year of his NFL career. But everyone saw his potential and wondered what he could do in a leading role.

Well, now, we are finally seeing it.

Likely has hauled in 55 receptions for 575 yards and seven touchdowns this season, establishing himself as one of the best tight ends in football and, quite easily, the best tight end the Giants have had since Jeremy Shockey.

And at this rate, Likely could be on his way to becoming New York's greatest tight end ever.

Likely is currently on pace to shatter Giants franchise records in both receptions and receiving yards for a tight end, as he is on pace for 104 catches and 1,086 yards.

Shockey holds the record with 74 grabs, and Likely has eight more games to get there. He is already just 20 short of eclipsing the mark, so barring injury, that record is inevitable.

Receiving yards are a bit more dicey, as Mark Bavaro currently lays claim to the franchise record with 1,001.

But after what Likely did against the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, snaring nine balls for 127 yards and a score, it looks a heck of a lot more doable.

Prior to arriving in the Big Apple, Likely had never even totaled 500 yards in a single season, topping out at 477 in 2024. Again, that was largely due to the fact that Andrews was getting the bulk of the targets at the tight end position.

Now that Likely is getting more opportunities, we are all seeing just how good he really is.

That contract looks like a complete bargain for the 26-year-old, who might just be scratching the surface of his potential.

In addition to being a terrific receiving tight end, Likely is also a willing and able blocker, so he can do a little bit of everything.

Tight end has been a huge hole for the Giants for years, and they finally seemed to have filled it with a budding star.

Likely has caught at least five passes in seven of his first nine games with Big Blue, and there is no reason to believe he will be slowing down any time soon.