Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is gearing up for an intriguing offseason as he approaches free agency. With the Ravens locking in Mark Andrews on a multi-year deal last year, some eyebrows were raised, especially since Likely, despite being older, seemed to offer more potential upside.
This decision suggests that Baltimore might not extend Likely, a move that could unsettle some of the Ravens' faithful. Yet, in a candid chat with Jon Gruden, Likely expressed his deep connection to the city that gave him his NFL start.
"I love Baltimore. They took the chance on me when all 31 didn't," Likely shared on Gruden Goes Long.
"At the end of the day, I tell everybody Baltimore is home for me. But business is business, so I'm really just seeing what's going to happen."
Those three words, "business is business," hint at Likely's readiness to explore his market value, which Spotrac.com pegs at $8.8 million annually. Given the investment in Andrews, it's unlikely the Ravens will commit that kind of cash to two tight ends.
This scenario positions Likely to seek opportunities elsewhere-both for a lucrative contract and a starting role, neither of which seems probable in Baltimore. While there's always a chance he might accept a reduced deal to stay, his comments suggest his future might lie beyond the Ravens.