Likely went on to cover some of the business decisions the Ravens have in front of them, listing out that wide receiver Zay Flowers — a free agent in 2027 — needs to get paid eventually, quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract requires restructuring (more likely an extension), center Tyler Linderbaum is up for a new deal and both tight end Mark Andrews and wideout Rashod Bateman received extensions in the past year.
Andrews’ three-year extension he signed in December could presumably have served as an early indication of the Ravens’ choice between the two tight ends, but Baltimore does have a projected $22 million in cap space to currently work with. Working out a new long-term deal with Jackson would also create some more breathing room by lessening his massive $74.5 million 2026 cap hit.
Still, it’s to be determined if the Ravens make a go at retaining Likely — or if the business end of things even leads to him prioritizing a return to Baltimore.
Likely and Andrews complement each other well, one a speedy mismatch and the other a big-bodied veteran that’s long been a problem in the red zone. The younger tight end is coming off his worst year as a pro, though. He was stymied by a broken bone in his foot that cost him the first three games of the season and prevented him from feeling 100% until deep in the campaign.
“I didn’t really feel like myself until about Thanksgiving and that’s when I was able to do everything I’m able to do with the ball,” Likely said.
That showed on tape. Likely contributed 27 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown, career lows across the board.
Still, for teams looking at the full picture, Likely rose up to find some degree of prominence in Baltimore’s offense despite an established presence in front of him on the depth chart. Since joining the Ravens as a 2022 fourth-round pick, he’s had 1,568 yards and 15 TDs on 135 catches. There’s room for a pass-catcher of his caliber and skill set across the league.
Whether that’s back with the Ravens, a different landing spot under a former coach such as the Giants’ John Harbaugh or the Browns’ Todd Monken, or a new environment entirely, Likely has a vision for how his next chapter will go.
“I just want to be able to blossom,” he said. “The last couple years, I’ve had a great vet in Mark Andrews, where he taught me everything to be a star-caliber tight end to the point where it’s like now I just want to be on a team where I can get out there and help a quarterback, help a team be able to put as much points on the board as possible.”
