The Baltimore Ravens were scheduled to lose several free agents this spring, just like every NFL franchise, but the Kansas City Chiefs (and other teams scouring for a tight end) were watching one player with particular attention: Isaiah Likely. His pending free agency was a case to watch with great interest, but with the latest news surrounding John Harbaugh, it's easy to wonder whether Likely might already have a new home already in mind.
The seismic news of John Harbaugh's dismissal from the Baltimore Ravens has already sent shockwaves throughout the league, altering the hiring paths of other coaches as teams play a game of musical chairs to decide who to hire. But it also will affect players as Harbaugh decides where to go and what that might mean for those players already familiar to him and with him.
Likely is one such candidate. The Ravens tight end is ready to hit the open market after finishing his four-year rookie deal with the team. Selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Likely was an instant contributor for Harbaugh's Ravens and grew into a steady producer behind Mark Andrews who was able to step in as a starter when the veteran was injured.
For those who've watched Likely blossom over the last four years, the athletic flashes have brought about some exciting projections if/when he was ever out of Andrews' shadow and made into the primary target for a team—whether in Baltimore or not.
John Harbaugh's hire might have ruined things for Chiefs fans hoping Isaiah Likely was coming to town.
The Ravens just rewarded Mark Andrews for his continued production and leadership with a three-year extension in early December. That signaled that Likely was going to walk in March once the new league year began and he was able to sign with a new team. Per Spotrac's market value projections, Likely is predicted to earn a four-year deal worth up to $36 million—good for a $9 million average annual value.
Likely started the 2025 season with a foot injury and missed the first three games. From there, he was never able to find any real consistent work within an offense that was often missing its quarterback. It didn't help that the Ravens were spiraling all season anyway, leading to Harbaugh's ouster. Likely only had 2 games with more than 35 yards, and he caught one touchdown all season long. Those numbers might even bring that value projection down a bit.
That said, Likely's youth and proven athleticism and sustained production behind Andrews will still entice general managers to pursue him. But Likely makes a lot of sense in a young Giants offense with Jaxson Dart under center. With Harbaugh now installed as the Giants head coach, he's undoubtedly going to bring some familiar faces with him. That could mean a change of address for center Tyler Linderbaum as well.
With regard to the Chiefs, Likely has been a free-agent favorite for fans for quite some time. Likely caused problems for K.C. in previous matchups against Baltimore, including the infamous touchdown catch that was nullified because his toe was out of bounds.
The Chiefs are in a rather funny place at tight end as it is. Travis Kelce remains among the game's best tight ends, but Father Time comes for everyone and at the age of 37 next year, the future Hall of Famer is currently wondering whether it's worth making another run. Noah Gray is around for one more season as Kelce's wingman, but he's not proven he can carry the load himself if Kelce decides to call it a career.
Behind those two, the Chiefs have Jared Wiley, who was a 2024 fourth-round pick, and some interesting prospects like Jake Briningstool and Tre Watson, both of whom were undrafted rookie signings last summer. However, not a single player of the lot has displayed anything the Chiefs could count on going into 2026.
Any pursuit of Likely hinges on Kelce's decision, but if tight end becomes a bigger need, he would have been a favored choice. With Harbaugh's decision to head to New York, Likely already has a new destination waiting for him—or at least a team with an inside edge. Fans hoping Likely could serve as a substitute for a retiring Kelce might want to look elsewhere as the offseason progresses.