Isaiah Likely Gets Brutally Honest About His Future With Ravens

Isaiah Likely wants to get paid but isn't sure whether it will be at Baltimore or someplace else.

Isaiah Likely Gets Brutally Honest About His Future With Ravens

Isaiah Likely (Image via IMAGO)

Isaiah Likely is gearing up for the most important offseason of his fledgling NFL career. Within the next few weeks, the Ravens will make the decision to either sign him to a long-term contract or allow him to test the metaphorical waters of free agency.

The fourth-round draft pick gave his honest opinion on the matter while speaking with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden on his podcast. Likely stated that he loves Baltimore because the Ravens gave him a chance while the other 31 teams passed on him in 2022. That said, he will not hold it against the Ravens if the higher-ups move in a different direction.

I tell everybody, like, Baltimore’s home for me. But at the end [of the] day, business is business. So I’m just really just seeing what’s gonna happen.

Isaiah Likely told Gruden on the Gruden Goes Long show

After being selected 141st overall, Likely suited up for four seasons with the Birds. He shared the locker room with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews, whom he holds in high regard. Likely revealed that Andrews taught him “everything to be a star caliber tight end,” which he aims to use to help the quarterback he’s paired with in the future.

I just want to be on a team that where I could just get out there and help a quarterback, help a team be able to put as much points on the board as possible.

In typical Ravens fashion, they tried to sign him ahead of the 2025 season. However, Likely requested the front office to wait one year, as he wanted to prove his worth to the team.

Sadly, injuries hampered his progression. He had to undergo surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, ruling him out for six weeks. The Ravens did not put him on injured reserve as it was still the offseason, but they ruled him out for the first three weeks of the regular season. Likely made his debut in week four, but with Lamar Jackson on IR, his production level took a hit. Isaiah Likely participated in a total of 8 games, catching 27 passes for 307 yards and scoring one touchdown.

What’s next for Isaiah Likely?

Likely has been heavily linked with a move to the Patriots. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Likely grew up watching Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski win multiple Super Bowls during the club’s dynastic period.

Isaiah Likely Gets Brutally Honest About His Future With Ravens
Isaiah Likely (Image via IMAGO)

The Patriots have two aging TEs in their ranks, Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry, both of whom are set to hit the free market. Patriots legend James White urged his former team to sign a new dynamic TE in a recent interview.

Now, for [me & for] the Pats, I’d love to see them get a guy like Kyle Pitts, or even David Njoku getting another tight end. Got Hunter Henry, he’s getting up there. Austin Hooper, he played solid for us… Getting a young tight end.

White said (HT/Heavy.com)

While White did not mention Likely’s name, he definitely fits the mould he’s looking for. At 25, he has so much to offer despite recording career-low numbers last year. Analysts describe him as a solid route runner and a threat inside the red zone. According to Spotrac, market value projection has Likely slated to receive a two-year deal with an average annual salary of just $8.8 million.

Likely recently dropped a big hint by liking a post that linked him to the Patriots.

In all likelihood, Likely could easily return to Baltimore and continue to challenge for the AFC North crown. Andrews is no longer a spring chicken, and he has experienced a couple of bad years recently. So, it only makes sense for the Ravens to give Likely more workload and phase out Andrews.

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