The Baltimore Ravens sent a clear message to 25-year-old tight end Isaiah Likely this week when they signed veteran Mark Andrews to a 3-year, $39.3 million contract extension.
Likely entered the season as the future at the position for the Ravens with the 30-year-old Andrews seemingly having one foot out the door — willingly or not.
A preseason injury changed those plans. Likely fractured his foot early in training camp, missed the first 3 games of the season and has struggled to reclaim his role in the offense with just 18 receptions for 223 yards and zero touchdowns in 9 games.
So the guy who looked like he was going to market correct Andrews got market corrected himself. And with that, one of the more unique free agent tight end prospects in some time looks headed to the open market.
“Obviously nothing is set in stone, but the Ravens extending Mark Andrews does not bode well for Isaiah Likely’s long-term future in Baltimore,” Locked On Ravens podcast host Kevin Oestricher wrote on his official X account on Wednesday, December 3. “Likely will be a free agent after the season.”
This is where the Philadelphia Eagles should spring into action.
Likely, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, has a projected 4-year, $40 million market value from Spotrac. That seems like a steal to get one of the NFL’s elite young tight ends.
Injury May Have Cost Likely Millions
NFL teams will likely try to lowball Likely when it comes to his next contract — no doubt due to the injury.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and Jeremy Fowler reported on July 30 that Likely’s injury was much worse than the ankle issue previously reported.
From ESPN: “Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely suffered a small fracture in his foot at the end of Tuesday’s practice, sources told ESPN. “According to sources, if all goes well in Likely’s recovery, he is expected to return early in the season. It’s possible Likely could be back for the Ravens’ Sept. 7 opener at the Buffalo Bills. Likely suffered the non-contact injury on the final play of Tuesday’s practice in a one-on-one drill against safety Sanoussi Kane. He was carted off the field and then limped into the locker room.”
Likely didn’t get back on the field until a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andrews has taken back undisputed TE1 duties this season with 37 receptions for 332 yards and 6 total touchdowns in 12 games.
Likely Had Breakout Season for Ravens in 2024
Likely wasted little time establishing himself as someone to reckon with in Baltimore’s offense in 2024 with 9 receptions for 111 yards and 1 touchdown in a 27-21 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 1 — a game in which Likely’s toe over the line in the back of the end zone was the difference.
Likely, a 2022 fourth round pick, finished 2024 with 42 receptions for 477 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Eagles will likely be in the market for an elite tight end through an early-round pick or free agency after they spent most of the offseason shopping trades for 30-year-old veteran tight end Dallas Goedert, who is playing on a 1-year, $10 million contract.
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