The Baltimore Ravens' season ended sooner than they hoped, and now tough questions loom – none more pressing for some fans than the future of tight end Isaiah Likely. Will he stay, or will he go?
It's a harsh reality check: the Ravens are officially in offseason mode. While the sting of that loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers still lingers, the NFL machine never stops turning. That means the front office is already hard at work, evaluating the roster and deciding which players will be part of the team's future, and which ones won't.
One player whose future with the Ravens hangs in the balance is tight end Isaiah Likely. Set to enter free agency this offseason, Likely recently shared his thoughts on what might be next for him. And this is the part most people miss: Free agency isn't just about money; it's about opportunity, fit, and long-term security.
"I really just leave it to my agent," Likely said in a recent interview. "I feel like everybody says a vanilla answer like that, but it's honestly my first time ever not knowing. So, just really just keeping one foot in front of the other. Blessed to be getting out of the season healthy, being able to just put everything I do on tape and really just going from there." In other words, he's letting his performance speak for itself and trusting his agent to navigate the complexities of free agency. This is a smart move, as agents are experts at understanding market value and negotiating contracts.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some analysts believe that the Ravens already showed their hand when they signed Mark Andrews to a contract extension. The thinking was that Andrews' presence would make Likely expendable. After all, how much can one team realistically invest in the tight end position?
However, that assumption might be premature. The Ravens have frequently utilized two-tight end sets in their offense, showcasing the value of having both Andrews and Likely on the field simultaneously. This strategy creates mismatches for opposing defenses and adds versatility to the Ravens' offensive attack.
While many fans are clamoring for Likely to return to Baltimore in 2026 for his fifth season, the question remains: does he want to come back? "For sure," he confirmed. "At the end of the day, this is the team that took a chance on me coming out of college. I tell the Ravens, tell the fans every time I get a chance to, I give y'all everything I got because y'all the ones that took a chance on me when I came out." This statement reveals a deep sense of loyalty and gratitude towards the Ravens organization and its fans. This could be a significant factor influencing his decision-making process.
So, while Likely has expressed his desire to remain a Raven, the ultimate decision rests with the team. Will they be willing to offer him a contract that reflects his value and potential? There's no doubt that other teams will be vying for his services, potentially offering him a more lucrative deal and a guaranteed starting role.
There will undoubtedly be teams willing to open their wallets for Isaiah, offering him not just a hefty paycheck but also the long-term security that every player craves. But the hope among Ravens fans is that he'll choose to stay in Baltimore, where he's already established himself as a valuable contributor.
And it seems Isaiah shares that hope. But the NFL is a business, and sometimes the heart has to take a backseat to the head. Will the Ravens prioritize retaining Likely, or will they let him walk and pursue other options? What do you think? Should the Ravens break the bank to keep Likely, even if it means sacrificing depth at other positions? Or should they let him test the market and see what other teams are willing to offer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
