One week into the 2026 NFL season, a lot is looking good for the Baltimore Ravens. They started hot with a dominant win in the season opener. But something isn’t necessarily look great: the decision to let Isaiah Likely walk in free agency.
Last December, Baltimore signed Mark Andrews to a three-year, $39.3 million extension. That forced the team’s young tight ends Likely and Charlie Kolar out the door. It was a polarizing move at the time, and with Likely's Week 1 outing, it’s aging like milk.
Likely was the go-to target for the New York Giants’ passing offense. He tallied 8 receptions for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. He introduced himself to the Big Apple in style.
On the other hand, Andrews did fine with 4 receptions for 49 yards, but he also dropped an easy pass on a 2nd-and-goal.
The pressure was already bearing down on Andrews’ shoulders, and Likely’s standout night added to the intensity.
Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews decision doesn’t look great after Isaiah Likely SNF showing
In the grand scheme of things, the counting stats between Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in Week 1 really aren’t that far off. Andrews was a good second option through the air behind Zay Flowers, and Baltimore’s rushing attack didn’t give him many chances in the red zone.
The issue is the clear game-changer that Likely can be. He’s a crazy athlete for a man at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, has Vice Grip-like hands, and makes clutch plays when his number is called. He did all that in his Giants debut.
Admittedly, it's only Week 1. Likely had a similar season-opening night back in 2024, going for 9 receptions, 111 yards, and 1 touchdown vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he proceeded to finish the year with 477 receiving yards.
Still, it's hard to watch what Likely did against the Dallas Cowboys and not be a bit upset by what the Ravens are missing out on.
Likely showcased the strong hands in contested spaces that Ravens fans know, used to love, and miss. He was as clutch as can be in New York’s game-sealing drive, too, hauling in two passes to move the chains on third downs, both of which were very difficult catches.
The clutch factor might be what the Ravens end up missing the most. It’s no secret that Andrews has struggled in the big moments, whereas Likely tends to blossom in those.
In the 2024 Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills, Andrews fumbled and dropped a two-point conversion, while Likely caught a late touchdown to keep Baltimore in that game. In Week 18 last season, Likely came up with an insane grab with seconds to go to set up a game-winning field goal attempt.
He continues to be an easy face to turn to when the lights are at their brightest in New York. The clutch gene is real.
Now, it is true that Likely wanted a bigger role than what the Ravens had available for him. Between Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers, there were a lot of mouths to feed before getting to Likely. Still, he could’ve been the easy No. 2 option in the passing game had Eric DeCosta opted to retain Likely over Andrews.
And Andrews still has to live up to his contract, too. It’s not just the Likely comparisons; it’s also that $39 million price tag. His $13 million salary is seventh-most expensive among tight ends.
Is Andrews worth that price tag? While he’s been a strong red zone target, he’s also coming off the worst season of his career, with 422 receiving yards in 2025. If he wants to prove worthy of the money, this is the season he has to step up and re-emerge as a significant threat for Jackson to turn to.
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