The Baltimore Ravens' offseason has already been intense. Their decision to fire John Harbaugh sent shockwaves through the league, and after hiring Jesse Minter, the Ravens' fan base is getting excited. Now, with a completed coaching staff, it’s time to focus on free agency.
The Ravens have a very strong free agency class, and will stare down some tough decisions in the coming months. Ultimately, they’ll have to let some key depth pieces depart to focus on rebuilding other areas. One of those pieces is expected to be tight end Isaiah Likely.
Late in the 2025 season, Baltimore opted to extend franchise tight end Mark Andrews on a three-year, $39.3 million deal. At the time, it seemed to be a move that would push Likely out of Charm City. Now, after Likely liked an Instagram comment referring to him joining his hometown New England Patriots, the possibility of him leaving is looking even more realistic.
Isaiah Likely liked a comment on his IG post saying “come back home bro”
— diam (@wtfdiam) February 14, 2026
Likely is from Cambridge. #NePats pic.twitter.com/MgbLv6752J
The decision to extend Andrews was a polarizing move. If Likely joins the reigning AFC Champion Patriots, it wouldn’t look much better. It may end up being a back-breaker call on the part of the Ravens’ front office.
Ravens risk paying dearly for Mark Andrews extension with Isaiah Likely eyeing Patriots
Baltimore’s tight end position as a whole was disappointing in 2025. It seemed like the only guy that consistently showed up when he had a chance to shine was third-stringer Charlie Kolar. For Andrews and Likely, their production fell short of what many expected, but many still believe Likely is the future and that general manager Eric DeCosta made a mistake.
Andrews finished second on the team in receiving yards, but that’s not saying much. He had just 48 receptions for 422 yards, and since signing that extension in early December, he had a very underwhelming 11 receptions for 90 yards and zero touchdowns.
Andrews was still one of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s go-to targets in red zone chances, totaling five touchdowns, but that atrocious finish doesn’t bode well for the future.
In Likely’s case, a slow start in return from the foot injury he suffered before the season was expected. He never really picked up the pace, though. The 25-year-old finished his fourth NFL season with 27 receptions for 307 yards and one touchdown, each mark being the worst of his young career.
Likely did flash the explosiveness that had most fans excited for his future with the Ravens before the 2025 season. He had games of three receptions for 60 yards and five receptions for 95 yards, and continued to showcase himself as an athletic mismatch on many occasions.
If Likely does depart for New England, it could be a catastrophic mistake on Baltimore’s behalf. There’s definitely still a rising talent there, and the Patriots may be one of the last teams they’d want to see him sign with.
The Patriots just won the AFC, and their quarterback, Drake Maye, finished second in MVP voting. There are still some flaws with their offense, but Likely could immediately make that passing attack all the more dangerous. He would be an upgrade at tight end if he were to replace pending free agent Austin Hooper.
As the Ravens look to finally reach the Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era, that goal would get a lot more difficult by watching a talented weapon leave for one of your biggest competitors.