It wasn't exactly a shocker to see Isaiah Likely leave the Baltimore Ravens in free agency this past spring. Regardless, it stung for Ravens fans as it was always clear that Likely had another level to reach.
Now with the New York Giants, it looks like he's going to get a sizable role in the offense and become the player Ravens fans always knew he could be. According to The Athletic's Dan Duggan, Likely has been Jaxson Dart's favorite target. It's only June, but it sure seems like the stars are aligning for the former Ravens tight end to have a breakout season.
Ironically, Likely is still with John Harbaugh. After years of being hyped up in the offseason, it appears that Likely is finally ready to be unleashed.
Isaiah Likely is poised to have a massive role with the New York Giants
Opportunity is everything.
With the Ravens, Likely was stuck behind Mark Andrews, who has long been a favorite of Lamar Jackson. Furthermore, Zay Flowers has been a regular target for Lamar in three out of Likely's four seasons. It might sound funny now, but Rashod Bateman also took away targets from Likely in 2023 and 2024. Starting the year with an injury certainly hurt Likely's 2025 season. Plus, the Ravens were a run-centric team throughout Likely's tenure.
Even in a limited role, Likely's potential was always clear. He's an athletic 6-foot-4 tight end capable of making explosive plays. Frankly, there aren't many tight ends with his level of athleticism and passing-catching abilities.
Now, with the Giants, Likely has a clear path to targets. Theo Johnson is the Giants' other tight end and Malik Nabers is recovering from a knee injury; it's unclear when he'll return. Darius Slayton and Darnell Mooney are his other two threats for targets.
As such, Likely has a clear path to being a focal point of the Giants' offense.
Seeing Likely blossom would bring on some mixed emotions for Baltimore Ravens fans
If and when Likely has a breakout year, it will be bittersweet for Ravens fans. How Andrews performs will factor into whether Likely's season is more bitter or sweet, though. Andrews' three-year $39.2 million extension last December all but sealed Likely's fate.
While Andrews has had a fantastic career, he will be 31 in September and has steadily been declining. If he falls off a cliff and Likely blossoms with the Giants, most of the discourse will be around the Ravens' decision to essentially choose Andrews over Likely. Thinking about what Likely could do in Declan Doyle's passing-centric offense could further add to this "what-if."
Conversely, if both players thrive (and other Ravens pass-catchers step up), fans can simply be happy for Likely's success even if it's with a different squad. The possibility of one of the Ravens' rookie tight ends (Josh Cuevas and Matthew Hibner) impressing could further ease fans' pain.
Overall, all early signs point to Likely flourishing with the Giants and it's fair to assume that this will bring on some mixed emotions for Ravens fans.
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