He’s an annual breakout candidate and seemingly forever on the cusp of becoming elite, but the Baltimore Ravens are going to be forced to pay Isaiah Likely as though he’s just that, whether or not he reaches the status in 2025.
It’s the view of Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, who was asked if the Ravens will have to pay pending free agent Likely “top-five tight end money?” The question also included a refrain about Likely not having “put up those types of numbers, mostly because he hasn’t had the chances.”
His numbers don’t represent top-dollar production, but when it comes to paying Likely as a top-five player at his position, Zrebiec believes the Ravens are “probably are going to have to, or at least come close. The tight end market is only going to increase every offseason. When you sign these deals with ascending players, you have to bet on potential. You can’t just pay a player for what they have done. Your offer, in some ways, has to also reflect what they’re capable of doing.”
General manager Eric DeCosta won’t mind paying Likely at a premium if the fourth-year pro lives up to the billing as a dominant playmaker. If that happens, No. 80 will probably have usurped an All-Pro at his position and become the go-to target for two-time NFL NVP quarterback Lamar Jackson in clutch situations.
Earning that status will be worthy of a big payday, but DeCosta can’t ignore other pressing contract issues. Including the futures of two other 2022 NFL draft picks.
Ravens Can’t Avoid Difficult Isaiah Likely Decision
If the Ravens believe Likely merits superstar status they’ll have to back that belief with cash. Likely can make the decision for DeCosta with more plays like these highlighted by Underdog’s Josh Norris.
These are the moments that encourage many to back Likely as a future best-in-class tight end. The hype is borne from his athleticism and the flexibility to be lined up anywhere across formations.
Likely’s chances of translating those core skills into something elite depend as much on scheme as his physical talent. Fortunately, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken already has ways to get the gifted 25-year-old more involved.
Monken’s plan for Likely includes a personnel grouping the player used as a “superpower” last season. More of the same should follow this year, but Likely can also prove his worth in other ways.
Notably, by taking reps away from All-Pro teammate Mark Andrews when the Ravens use another of Monken’s favorite formations. Andrews is still clutch in the red zone, but his numbers are expected to decline, while the 29-year-old lacks something Likely can count as part of his own skill-set.
It concerns the ability to split out and pose a legitimate threat as a big-bodied wide receiver. This facet of Likely’s game can make him a bigger factor if Monken leans into a set sure to bring out the best in five-time Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
There are many reasons the Ravens need Likely, but they can’t ignore other looming contract decisions.
Ravens Have Other Big Contract Problems
DeCosta has a lengthy to-do list when it comes to locking down rising talent. Perhaps no decision looms larger than what to do about All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton.
The Ravens took up Hamilton’s fifth-year option, but at the expense of doing so for his fellow first-round pick, Tyler Linderbaum. He’s one of the game’s best centers and has All-Pro potential, so the Ravens can’t risk losing one of Jackson’s key blockers, but keeping Linderbaum will be tough when Hamilton’s next deal could wreck the market.
Solving these problems will be tough enough, but the biggest contract call of the lot still looms for DeCosta. It’s the next deal for Jackson, potentially the richest in league history.
As Zrebiec put it, “the Ravens believe Jackson deserves to be the highest-paid quarterback in football.” Making it happen will be a tall order when the Ravens are also trying to tie down their brightest young stars.
It’s why Likely could get to test free agency a year from now. Particularly if this season’s numbers are good, but not quite at the spectacular level many have long expected.
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