After an 8-9 season, the Baltimore Ravens are entering a new era after hiring Jesse Minter to be the team’s head coach. Despite the underwhelming year in 2025, Baltimore is still considered one of the more talented teams in the NFL.
The expectations will be high in 2026. However, the Ravens could be saying goodbye to some of their talent soon, and they may not be going far.
On Monday evening, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku announced that he won’t be re-signing with Cleveland in free agency this offseason. The reason that’s relevant to Baltimore is that the Browns will want another young tight end to pair with their young sensation Harold Fannin Jr. Considering that former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is now the head coach in Cleveland, he and his new team could make a push to sign many of Baltimore's players. That could include tight end Isaiah Likely, who’s set to be a free agent this offseason.
Ravens could lose Isaiah Likely to Browns in free agency
Likely emerged as an immediate contributor during his rookie season, and it seemed like he was set to take over as Baltimore’s no. 1 tight end. However, while he remained a productive piece of the offense in the last four seasons, he never leapfrogged Mark Andrews like many thought he would. Andrews ended up signing a three-year extension with the team in December, and now, Likely will enter free agency.
Of course, the tight end can still be re-signed by the Ravens, but there’s also the chance that he walks. Baltimore could experience Likely walking right to Cleveland, and tormenting the Ravens twice a year with Monken and company. That would be a nightmare come true for Baltimore, and the only way to prevent it for sure is to keep the tight end from entering free agency by signing him to a new deal.
If the Ravens don’t do that, Likely will have a ton of suitors, and it makes sense for Cleveland to be one of them. The Browns have been honest about their plan to build up their offense this offseason, while simultaneously getting younger. With promising offensive players like Fannin, Quinshon Judkins, Shedeur Sanders, and others, entering year two in Cleveland, Isaiah Likely could emerge as a perfect veteran weapon for the group.