For the past three years, Baltimore Ravens fans have been waiting for Isaiah Likely to get a bigger role in the offense. However, it has never come to fruition. Likely missed the first three games with a foot injury. Since returning from injury, though, Likely hasn't looked the player fans have long hoped for.
He is averaging a career-low 20.7 yards per game and is on pace to have the fewest yards in a single season. The explosive tight end has only notched more than 30 yards on two occasions this year. This is something Likely did at least five times in his previous three years.
It's been a disappointing overall season for Likely. Regardless, it's gotten worse for him over the past two games; he doesn't have a single target.
Likely is set to become a free agent this spring, and with Mark Andrews' extension and his underwhelming season, it feels like a certainty that Likely will find a new home in the offseason.
Isaiah Likely's days in Baltimore are numbered
It's easy to blame coaching for Likely's limited role in the offseason. That's part of the story; he ranks just fifth on the team with 31 targets and is on the field for just 57 percent of the team's snaps. Nevertheless, at some point, the onus should be on him to improve, and he simply has taken a step back.
The 6-foot-4 athletic beast has all the tools to be an elite tight end, but he hasn't been able to put it together, and showing signs of regression while headed into a contract year is concerning. Perhaps it's the way he's being used or his injury problems, but his route running and ability to create separation haven't been up to his standards this season.
Andrews' contract always sealed Likely's fate with the Ravens in most fans' eyes. And with his underwhelming play, this makes Likely's departure all but guaranteed. Despite Likely not having a great season, many teams should be interested in his services, especially since he'll be fairly cheap.
Likely's tenure with the Ravens appears to be coming to a close on a sour note, as he and the team have had an incredibly disappointing year. Additionally, he might not have lived up to this full potential with Baltimore. Regardless, the team got solid value out of a fourth-round pick, and he could flourish with a new franchise.