The New York Giants have made a splash in the 2026 free agency period by signing former Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million deal, potentially rising to $47.5 million with incentives. This move reunites Likely with head coach John Harbaugh and sets the stage for offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to creatively utilize the 25-year-old playmaker. With Likely no longer shadowed by Mark Andrews, he's primed to be a key figure in the Giants’ passing game.
Giants’ New TE Isaiah Likely: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Elite Catch Radius and Hands: Likely is a dynamic move tight end, known for his athleticism and ability to make contested catches. He dropped only two passes over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, showcasing his reliability.
- Yards After Catch (YAC): Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Likely is a force in the open field. His ability to break tackles turns short passes into big gains, making him a significant YAC threat. With a low 2.0% drop rate, he’s a dependable target for young quarterback Jaxson Dart.
- Red Zone Threat: Likely has an impressive record of 15 career touchdowns, proving his efficiency in scoring when the field tightens up.
Weaknesses:
- Inline Blocking: While Likely is a willing blocker, he lacks the strength to consistently dominate at the point of attack against edge rushers. However, he excels in blocking for wide zone runs when positioned in the slot.
- Recent Injury History: A foot injury hampered his 2025 season, affecting his production and ball security. His health will be crucial for the upcoming season.
Likely’s Role: A New Era for the Giants’ Slot Position
The Giants are shifting their slot receiver strategy, moving away from smaller, agile players like Wan’Dale Robinson to a "jumbo slot" model. Likely, who was versatile in Baltimore, will bring his mismatch-creating abilities to New York. In his healthiest seasons, he spent a significant portion of his snaps in the slot, also lining up inline, out wide, and occasionally in the backfield.
In 2026, Likely will pair with Theo Johnson, the Giants’ inline tight end, in the team’s 12-personnel packages. This combination will challenge defenses: a nickel corner might struggle with Likely’s size, while a linebacker could be outpaced by his speed and agility. This flexibility gives Jaxson Dart a powerful target to exploit in the middle of the field.
The Travis Kelce Blueprint in Matt Nagy’s Offense
Matt Nagy, who honed his offensive skills with the Kansas City Chiefs, knows how to maximize a tight end’s potential. Likely fits the mold of a versatile weapon, much like Travis Kelce. In Baltimore, Likely was used in motion to disrupt defenses, and under Nagy, he will run option routes and crossers that made the Chiefs’ offense formidable.
Kelce’s ability to switch between inline and slot roles mirrors Likely’s career usage. In 2025, Kelce had 306 snaps in the slot, 397 inline, and 171 wide, a blueprint Likely could follow.
Escaping the Shadow of Mark Andrews
Likely's potential was often overshadowed by Mark Andrews in Baltimore, limiting his opportunities despite his efficiency. Now, at 25 and in his prime, Likely steps into a scheme tailored for his talents. Free from a timeshare, he is poised for a breakout season with the Giants, ready to elevate his game to new heights.