The Baltimore Ravens are facing a tight end exodus.
At the end of the season, Mark Andrews will be a free agent. Isaiah Likely will be a free agent. Charlie Kolar will be a free agent.
Someone has to play TE in Baltimore in 2026, so that's not an ideal situation to be in.
Likely, pun intended, seems the most likely to return to the Ravens for next season, given his age and skill level.
He's probably worth the tight end franchise tag, which is $15.8 million.
"Several team executives anticipate Likely doing very well in free agency because he can serve as a matchup problem who can separate from coverage," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote on Wednesday. "Part of the equation: The tight end franchise tag in 2026 is very reasonable ($15.8 million). Some people I've talked to inside the league would not be surprised if Baltimore tags him, especially with its top three tight ends hitting free agency."
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Health was not Likely's friend early this season, but he's got a lot of football games left to prove he's worth that dollar value and more.
Likely has spent his entire Baltimore tenure playing second fiddle to Andrews when both have been healthy.
It would be intriguing to see Likely be the unquestioned No. 1 tight end in 2026 if Andrews winds up with a new team.
Likely seems to have the ability to top the depth chart by himself, and he may get that chance with next season's edition of the Ravens.
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