Probably went over some of the trade decisions the Ravens have in front of them, listed that wide receiver Zay Flowers – a free agent in 2027 – needs to be paid eventually, running back Lamar Jackson’s contract needs restructuring (most likely an extension), center Tyler Linderbaum is ready to sign a new contract and both extensions, Rasho Bateman, Mark Andrews and last year.
Andrews’ three-year extension he signed in December may have been an early indication of the Ravens’ choice between the two tight ends, but Baltimore has $22 million in cap space to work with. Re-signing Jackson to a new long-term deal would also create more cap space by reducing his $74.5 million cap hit in 2026.
Still, it remains to be determined whether the Ravens will be able to keep Likely — or whether the trade deadline will even make him a priority to return to Baltimore.
Likely, Andrews complements each other well, one a speedy difference-maker and the other a hulking veteran who has long been a problem in the red zone. The younger tight end is coming off his worst year as a pro, though. He was hampered by a broken foot which cost him the first three games of the season and prevented him from feeling 100% until deep into the campaign.
“I didn’t feel like myself until Thanksgiving and then I was able to do everything I can do with the ball,” Likely said.
It showed on tape. Likely to contribute 27 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown, a career low across the board.
Still, for teams looking at the bigger picture, Likely rose to find any form of prominence in Baltimore’s offense despite an established presence in front of him on the depth chart. Since joining the Ravens as a fourth-round pick in 2022, he has 1,568 yards and 15 TDs on 135 catches. There is room for a passer of his size and talent across the league.
Whether it’s back with the Ravens, another landing spot under former coaches like John Harbaugh at the Giants or Todd Monken at the Browns, or a new environment entirely, Likely has a vision of how his next chapter will go.
“I just want to be able to flourish,” he said. “The last two years I’ve had a great vet in Mark Andrews, where he taught me everything to be an All-Star to the point where it’s like now I just want to be on a team where I can get out there and help the backcourt, help a team put as many points on the board as possible.”