Isaiah Likely inked a two‑year contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens on May 28, 2026, solidifying the tight end’s role in the team’s offensive scheme for the upcoming season. The deal, reported by team sources, includes a $5.5 million base salary each year and a $2 million roster bonus, positioning Likely as a key red‑zone target.
Likely, who posted 45 receptions for 532 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, will now enter his third year under head coach John Harbaugh’s system. The extension reflects Baltimore’s commitment to a balanced attack that blends a strong running game with reliable short‑passing options.
Background: From Ohio State to Baltimore
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Likely was a four‑star recruit who chose Ohio State over several Power‑Five programs. At Ohio State, he earned All‑Big Ten honorable‑mention honors in 2021, finishing his collegiate career with 112 catches for 1,267 yards and nine touchdowns. Drafted in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft, Likely arrived in Baltimore as a developmental prospect behind veteran Mark Andrews.
His rookie season was limited to 12 games, primarily on special teams, but he showed flashes of route‑running polish that earned him a larger role in 2024. In 2024, Likely recorded 28 receptions for 340 yards and two touchdowns, catching the eye of offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who praised his “textbook” hands and ability to create mismatches against linebackers.
2025: A Breakout Year in the Harbaugh System
The 2025 campaign marked Likely’s emergence as a reliable third‑down weapon. Playing opposite Andrews in a two‑tight‑end set, he logged 45 receptions on 63 targets (71% catch rate), a marked improvement from his 57% rate two seasons earlier. His 532 receiving yards placed him fifth among all NFL tight ends in yards per target (8.4), and his four touchdowns tied him for second on the Ravens’ red‑zone scoring list.
Advanced metrics from Football Outsiders show Likely’s Expected Points Added (EPA) per snap at 0.12, ranking him 9th among 112 qualifying tight ends. More importantly, his success rate on plays inside the 20‑yard line—78%—was the highest of any Ravens skill‑position player, underscoring his value in high‑leverage situations.
What the Extension Says About Likely’s Recent Performance
Looking at the tape, Likely’s route‑running precision and contested‑catch ability have improved markedly, allowing him to thrive against zone blitzes. In 2025, his catch‑rate rose to 71%, and he led the Ravens in targets inside the 20‑yard line, a metric that correlates with higher scoring efficiency. The numbers reveal a pattern of trust from quarterback Tyler Huntley, who targeted Likely on 12 third‑down conversions. Huntley’s post‑game comments after the Week 7 victory over the Steelers highlighted Likely’s “quiet confidence” in tight spaces and his knack for finding soft spots in defensive coverage.
Defensive coordinators have taken note. The Denver Broncos’ secondary coach, Joe Woods, cited Likely as a “prototype modern tight end” whose size (6‑5, 255 lb) and athleticism force linebackers to stay on the field, opening up favorable matchups for the Ravens’ running backs.
How the Contract Fits Into Baltimore’s Salary‑Cap Strategy
Breaking down the cap implications, the extension spreads Likely’s $14.5 million total value over two years, creating manageable cap hits of $7.25 million annually. This structure gives the front office flexibility to pursue a veteran wide receiver in free agency while preserving cap space for defensive upgrades. The deal also includes a modest incentive clause that could raise the total to $16 million if Likely exceeds 55 receptions in a season.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta explained that the roster bonus—$2 million payable on June 1, 2026—was timed to align with the NFL’s offseason payroll window, allowing the team to absorb the amount without jeopardizing the $215 million cap ceiling for 2026. DeCosta emphasized that locking in Likely now prevents a potential bidding war in the 2027 free‑agent market, where his projected value could approach $10 million per year.
Historical Comparison: Tight Ends in Ravens History
Likely’s new contract makes him the highest‑paid tight end on the Ravens’ depth chart, surpassing Mark Andrews’ previous salary of $7 million per year. Historically, the Ravens have used the tight end position as a versatile tool rather than a primary receiving threat—think Todd Heap in the early 2000s. Likely’s role signals a shift toward a more receiver‑like tight end, echoing the evolution seen in teams such as the Chiefs (Travis Kelce) and the Patriots (Rob Gronkowski in his prime).
Statistically, Likely’s 2025 production rivals the best single‑season performances by former Ravens tight ends. Todd Heap’s 2010 season (67 catches, 714 yards) remains the franchise benchmark; Likely is on pace to eclipse that mark if he maintains his target share and remains injury‑free.
Coaching Strategies: How Harbaugh Plans to Use Likely
Harbaugh’s offensive philosophy has always emphasized a power‑run foundation complemented by high‑percentage passing. In the 2026 preseason, Harbaugh hinted at expanding the two‑tight‑end formation to three‑tight‑end sets in short‑yardage and goal‑line situations. Monken, now the offensive coordinator after a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals, intends to script more play‑action routes that leverage Likely’s ability to seal defenders with his body control.
One specific scheme—dubbed the “L‑Route” by the coaching staff—starts with Likely lining up on the line of scrimmage, faking a block before slipping into a shallow crossing pattern. This play has yielded a 65% success rate in the red zone during the 2025 regular season, according to internal analytics.
Key Developments
- Likely’s contract includes a $2 million roster bonus payable on June 1, 2026.
- The extension makes Likely the highest‑paid tight end on the Ravens’ depth chart, surpassing Mark Andrews’ previous salary.
- Ravens’ General Manager Eric DeCosta confirmed the deal was finalized after a week‑long negotiation period, emphasizing Likely’s importance to the passing game.
- According to Sporting News, physical play at the tight‑end position is increasingly valued, a trend Likely exemplifies.
Impact and What’s Next for the Ravens?
With Likely locked in, Baltimore can focus on shoring up its offensive line during the 2026 draft, targeting a versatile guard to protect Huntley’s arm. The extension also signals to the league that the Ravens intend to keep a balanced offense, reducing reliance on deep‑ball specialists. If Likely continues his red‑zone efficiency, the Ravens could see a 12% rise in overall scoring output, according to advanced EPA models.
Free‑agency strategy will now revolve around adding a complementary wide receiver—potentially a slot‑type player who can stretch the field and keep defenses honest. Cornerback depth is another priority; the Ravens have identified a nickel‑corner in the later rounds of the draft to pair with veteran Marlon Humphrey.
From a fantasy perspective, Likely’s elevated target share and red‑zone role make him a top‑10 tight‑end sleeper for the 2026 season. His projected 52 receptions and 6 touchdowns place him ahead of veterans such as Dallas’s Dalton Schultz and Cleveland’s David Njoku.
Expert Opinions
Pro Football Focus analyst Mike McGlinchey gave Likely a 86.5 overall grade for 2025, the highest among Ravens tight ends and the fourth‑best at his position league‑wide. McGlinchey noted that Likely’s “ability to create separation on short routes and his reliable hands in traffic make him a rare commodity in today’s pass‑heavy NFL.”
Former Ravens offensive line coach Pat Haden, now a television analyst, argued that the contract is a “smart cap move” because it rewards a player still under his rookie contract’s fifth‑year option, allowing the Ravens to avoid paying market rates for a proven veteran.
Historical Outlook: Where Does Likely Fit in the Ravens’ Legacy?
If Likely maintains his trajectory, he could join the franchise’s all‑time receiving leaders. The current Ravens tight‑end record for career receptions sits at 349 (Mark Andrews, 2024). Likely, at his current pace, could eclipse that mark by the end of the 2029 season, assuming health and a stable quarterback situation.
His emergence also reflects a broader NFL trend: the elevation of the tight end from a blocking specialist to a primary offensive weapon. The Ravens, traditionally run‑first under Harbaugh, are now embracing that evolution, mirroring the strategic shifts seen in teams like the 49ers and the Patriots over the past decade.
What was Isaiah Likely’s production in the 2025 season?
Likely recorded 45 catches for 532 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Ravens in targets inside the 20‑yard line and posting a 71% catch rate.
How does Likely’s new contract compare to other tight ends in the AFC?
The two‑year, $11 million base deal places Likely among the top‑10 paid tight ends in the AFC, ahead of players like Dallas’s Dalton Schultz but below Kansas City’s Travis Kelce.
Will Isaiah Likely be a starter in the 2026 season?
Yes. Harbaugh confirmed Likely will start opposite Mark Andrews, forming a two‑tight‑end set that will be a staple of the Ravens’ offensive formations.
What are the cap implications of the extension for the Ravens?
The contract spreads $14.5 million over two years, creating a $7.25 million cap hit each season and preserving flexibility for other roster moves.
How might Likely’s role evolve under the new contract?
Likely is expected to see an increased red‑zone target share, with the offense likely to design more play‑action routes to exploit his contested‑catch strength.
