Theo Johnson is coming off a breakout season, setting career highs with 74 targets, 45 receptions, 528 yards, five touchdowns, and an impressive 11.7 yards per catch in 2025. Standing at 6-foot-6, this athletic powerhouse seemed poised to become the next star tight end for the New York Giants.
Enter Isaiah Likely, signed by the Giants to a three-year, $40 million deal. The move signals a shift in the team's tight end hierarchy, with Likely stepping in as the presumed No.
- This development raises questions about Johnson's future role with Big Blue.
Likely, following head coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore, is eager to step out of Mark Andrews' shadow and seize a more significant opportunity. His arrival inevitably impacts Johnson's target share, potentially making Johnson's roster spot more precarious than fans might think.
There's been chatter about Johnson possibly needing a change of scenery, with teams like the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles mentioned as potential suitors. The suggestion is that Johnson might find a more fitting role elsewhere, considering his affordable contract and upside.
But let's take a step back. Harbaugh's decision to bring in Likely isn't necessarily about sidelining Johnson.
It's more about crafting an offense that leverages multiple tight ends, a hallmark of Harbaugh's past teams. Pairing Johnson's size with Likely's versatility could offer the Giants a more dynamic offensive scheme.
For quarterback Jaxson Dart, having two reliable, big-bodied targets could be a game-changer, providing stability and options in the passing game.
Johnson was a favorite target for Dart last season, so it makes sense to keep that connection strong, especially given the current lack of offensive weapons. Why disrupt a promising duo during Dart's critical development phase?
Before jumping to conclusions about Johnson's future, it might be wise to let the Likely-Johnson tandem play out for a season. If things don't pan out, the Giants can reassess in 2027 when Johnson enters a contract year. For now, embracing this new offensive setup could be the best path forward for the Giants.