ExtremeRavens Posted 5 hours ago Posted 5 hours ago Isaiah Likely leaned back in his chair and smiled when asked by “Up and Adams” host Kay Adams if the door is still open for a return to the Ravens. “I tell everybody the door is always open for Baltimore only because that’s family,” the tight end said. “They took a chance on me when all 31 [teams] passed. “But at the end of the day … business is business and I gotta do right by me, right by my family and right by what I feel like I can do in this league. And I feel like I’ve shown enough ability to be able to help any quarterback in any situation to be able to put points on the board and help an offense.” Likely, who will turn just 26 next month, is scheduled to become a free agent next week. His chances of re-signing with the Ravens were also clarified when they signed fellow tight end Mark Andrews, who was also slated to hit the open market, to a three-year, $39 million contract extension in early December. General manager Eric DeCosta didn’t officially rule out being able to bring Likely back, but the tight end’s response all but confirms what has felt obvious. He also has not heard from new coach Jesse Minter or offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. At one point, it was believed that Likely would return and Andrews, who will turn 31 in September, would not. But with Likely’s asking price for a new contract too high, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations, and far exceeding his production and based more on future expected performance, the two sides never got particularly close to getting a deal done. That forced the Ravens’ hand and they opted to go with the more affordable option in Andrews, who holds the franchise record for career receiving yards (5,952), career receptions (484) and career touchdown catches (56). He also holds the record for single-season catches (107) and receiving yards (1,361). Still, given Likely’s age and ascendant ability, along with his close relationship with two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and quarterback Lamar Jackson, the thought lingers in some corners that perhaps Jackson might have some sway when it came to keeping one of his favorite targets, particularly when plays break down, and one of the few players on the team with whom he spends time away from the field. Asked by Adams if Jackson tried to persuade the 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina to stay, Likely said that as his “brother” he did, but that Jackson — who is in the midst of his own contract negotiations to lower his $74.5 million salary cap hit — understands the business side of football. “I feel like it won’t hit me until it hits me,” Likely said of parting ways with the only quarterback he’s ever known. “It’s one of those feelings.” Likely also seems to be enjoying, at least a little, being one of the belles of the free agent ball. “It feels like — I was never a five-star recruit in high school, so I guess this is what it feels like to be a highly recruited kid I guess,” he said, again leaning back in his chair, smile stretched across his face. Whether he gets a top-tier contract remains to be seen, however, with most projections in the $9 million to $12 million per year range, the latter placing him 11th among tight ends in terms of average annual value. He will have plenty of pursuers, though. At least seven teams have a major need at tight end, including the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and New York Giants, now led by Likely’s former coach, John Harbaugh. In any scenario, whoever signs him will be betting a bit more on what he will be than what he has been. Only once in his four seasons has Likely had more than 36 catches in a season. That was in 2024 when he had 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. Sidelined with a broken foot for the first three games last season, he had just 27 catches on 36 targets for 307 yards and one touchdown — though one in a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was controversially wiped off the board by replay. He has also never been a lead tight end and has averaged just over 50% of the offensive snap counts for his career in Baltimore, where he was on the field for 60% of plays in 2024 and 57% last season. He has, however, shown prowess as a run-blocker, with his 84.1 grade in 2024 from Pro Football Focus tops among his peers, though that number dipped to 66.5 last season. Understandably, Likely is also looking to go somewhere where he can break out and likened himself to a knight in chess, “because everybody doesn’t understand quote unquote how dangerous the horse piece can be, being able to only be able to go certain ways. “When you’re a chess piece in the offense, when you’re able to line up anywhere outside, inside, in the backfield, a defense will never be able to sit there and say ‘Hey, I know what he’s doing at this point.’ … It makes a defensive coordinator sit up at night saying, ‘How do we not stop 80 but contain him to the point where he’s not taking over the game and beating us himself?’ and that’s what I feel like the knight does.” Now the only question is which suit of armor he’ll be wearing next season. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.