The Ravens made a major move this week, locking in one of their cornerstone players - tight end Mark Andrews - with a new three-year, $39 million extension. It’s a deal that keeps one of the league’s premier tight ends right where he’s thrived: in Baltimore, anchoring an offense that leans heavily on his reliability, physicality, and chemistry with Lamar Jackson.
But while the extension is great news for Andrews and the Ravens’ continuity, it naturally raised a few eyebrows when it comes to Isaiah Likely - the talented young tight end who’s been carving out his own role in Baltimore’s offense and is now entering a contract year.
For some, the timing of Andrews’ deal sparked questions: Does this mean the Ravens are already looking past Likely? Could this be a sign that he’s headed elsewhere in free agency?
After all, Likely has shown flashes of real playmaking ability, and teams around the league have noticed. A player with his upside won’t be short on offers if he hits the open market.
But if you thought that kind of talk would rattle Likely, think again.
“Love Mark, I’m gassed,” Likely said, clearly energized rather than discouraged. “I was one to text him, telling him big bro, I love you. Proud of you, keep going, we got more work to do this year.”
That’s not just a teammate talking - that’s a guy who understands the bigger picture. Likely isn’t sulking or side-eyeing the depth chart. He’s embracing the moment, celebrating his teammate’s success, and keeping his focus on what’s right in front of him.
Asked if the deal makes him think more about his own future, Likely kept it grounded and team-first.
“I just watched my brother get paid, I just see joy,” he said. “Just living in the moment, knowing that [we] got everything in front of us. Try to win Super Bowl this year, one game at a time, one opponent at a time, and knowing that, I let the rest take care of itself.”
That’s the kind of mindset coaches dream about - a young player who’s confident in his own path but not distracted by the business side of the league. Likely knows the NFL is a long game. He’s betting on himself, and he’s doing it the right way: by showing up, staying ready, and helping the Ravens chase something bigger than individual contracts.
Baltimore, meanwhile, benefits from this stability at tight end. With Andrews secured and Likely fully bought in, the Ravens head into the final stretch of the regular season with one of the deepest and most versatile tight end rooms in the league - a major asset as they gear up for a postseason run.
There’s still a lot of football left to play, but one thing’s clear: the Ravens’ tight end future - both immediate and long-term - is in good hands.