Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is receiving a ton of free agency buzz ahead of the NFL combine.
The Baltimore Ravens have a ton of top free agents whom they'd love to retain. One of those players who fits that bill is their young tight end, Isaiah Likely.
Likely is expected to be a top target in the 2026 free agency cycle. Although his 2025 season was not the best, he's proven to be a reliable pass catcher in his first four seasons as a Raven.
The Ravens took a chance on the 25-year-old in the 2022 NFL Draft. Baltimore selected Likely with the 141st overall pick, and so far it's been a great pick up.
A ton of teams passed on him in the draft, but expect things to be different as Likely is set to enter free agency. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, several teams at the NFL Scouting Combine are high on the tight end.
The Ravens want to keep him on the roster. Still, Likely's pursuit of possibly becoming a TE1 on another team, and the Mark Andrews factor in all of this, given his long-term and financial limitations, may have him looking elsewhere.
If you ask superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson, he wants the Ravens to do all they can to retain him.
On Tuesday, Jackson replyed to a posted on social media platform from B/R Gridiron asking, “Isaiah Likely will be a ____________”
Jackson’s response was simply “@Ravens,” followed by three folded hands praying emojis and a purple heart.
Does Likely want to remain a Raven, and do they want to pay him what he is projected to make?
According to Spotrac, Likely is estimated to earn a four-year, $36 million contract with projections reaching $40-$41 million.
Likely's 2025 season was not the best, as he recorded 27 receptions on 36 targets for 307 receiving yards (a career low), one touchdown and averaged 21.9 yards per game.
Likely's 2024 season was his most productive, recording career highs across the board. The former Coastal Carlona Chanticleer tallied 42 receptions on 58 targets for 477 yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged 29.8 yards per game.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was asked if he wants to bring back Likely for the 2026 season. His response was simple.
"Definitely," he said.
While that is the case, the cost could be high. If the projected contract for Likley is accurate, the Ravens could cough up nine million to a player they view as a TE2.
Time will tell what the Ravens decide to do with Likely, with less than two weeks left until the start of free agency.