It’s hard to imagine a more loaded tight end room than the one Baltimore has right now. On one side, you’ve got Mark Andrews — the Ravens' all-time touchdown king and Lamar Jackson’s security blanket for the better part of seven years. On the other, there’s Isaiah Likely, the rising star who took over down the stretch in 2024 and never looked back.
Both players are under contract through the 2025 season, which is the kind of thing that sounds like a blessing until it isn’t. The cap sheet is getting tighter. Andrews turns 30 in September. And Likely is entering the final year of a rookie deal that suddenly feels like it’s worth way more than the paper it’s printed on.
So naturally, the question came up. On Up & Adams, host Kay Adams asked Likely the obvious one: “What the [contract] situation?”
Isaiah Likely shares thoughts on contract and staying in Baltimore
With a smile and a laugh, Likely said exactly what every Ravens fan wanted to hear. “We’ll see man. The Flock knows I love them. I love being here. I love being a Raven.”
That’s as clear as a response gets without actually saying, “Pay me.” And if general manager Eric DeCosta’s paying attention, he probably doesn’t need the reminder — one of the league’s most promising young tight ends just said he wants to stay. Loudly.
Likely has every reason to feel good about his position. He racked up 477 yards and 6 touchdowns last season while sharing snaps with a three-time Pro Bowler. He stepped up when Andrews was out, showed the same red zone prowess expected of Baltimore tight ends, and quietly turned into one of the more reliable pass-catchers and playmakers in the offense. He was integral in Baltimore's 12 personnel formation (one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers). While it's nice seeing him share the tight end position, his athleticism and skills suggest he'll take over as TE1 before long.
This is where things get complicated. Andrews is heading into free agency too, and the combination of his age, cap hit, and declining production could turn into a tough conversation. There’s an easy out if the Ravens want it. Meanwhile, Likely’s next contract is expected to be in the $10-12 million range — a relative bargain, especially if he keeps trending upward.
The Ravens are staring down a tight end decision they won’t be able to avoid much longer. Both Andrews and Likely are set to hit free agency after this season, and keeping both beyond 2025 feels unlikely, if not impossible. Whether it’s an extension for one, a trade involving the other, or something else entirely, the front office will have to make a call soon — because waiting around won’t make it any easier.
One thing’s pretty clear: if it were up to Likely, he’d be back in purple with a new deal locked in before anyone else even hits the market. Whether the Ravens agree — or decide someone in this tight end room has to be the odd man out — will say a lot about where they’re headed next.