The New York Giants sign Isaiah Likely to bolster their offense, making one of the organization’s biggest moves of the 2026 free agency period. The former Baltimore Ravens tight end agreed to a three-year contract, reuniting with head coach John Harbaugh and giving the Giants another proven playmaker as they continue building around quarterback Jaxson Dart.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth three years and $40 million, including $26 million guaranteed, with incentives that could increase the total value to $47.5 million. The contract makes Likely one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL and underscores how highly the Giants value his versatility.
For Giants fans, this signing is about more than adding talent at tight end. It continues Harbaugh’s strategy of bringing in players he knows, trusts, and believes fit the culture he is establishing in New York.
A Familiar Face for John Harbaugh
Harbaugh coached Likely throughout his first four NFL seasons after the Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
That familiarity should help make the transition to New York a smooth one. Likely already understands Harbaugh’s expectations and now gives Jaxson Dart another reliable target in the passing game.
With Malik Nabers continuing his recovery after an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season, adding another offensive weapon became an important priority this offseason. Likely has the athleticism to create mismatches while complementing the Giants’ receiving corps once Nabers returns to full strength.
Why the Giants Believe in Isaiah Likely
At just 25 years old, Likely is still entering the prime of his career.
Although he is coming off his least productive NFL season, injuries played a significant role. A small fracture in his right foot forced him to miss the first three games of the season, and he finished with:
- 27 receptions
- 307 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown
Rather than focusing on those numbers alone, the Giants are betting on the upside he displayed during his first three seasons in Baltimore.
Over four NFL seasons, Likely has appeared in 63 regular-season games, recording:
- 135 receptions
- 1,568 receiving yards
- 15 receiving touchdowns
His breakout came in 2024 when he caught a career-high six touchdown passes and became the second-fastest tight end in Ravens history to reach 10 career receiving touchdowns, trailing only Mark Andrews.
How Isaiah Likely Fits the New York Giants Offense
Likely’s versatility is one of the biggest reasons this signing makes sense.
He can line up as a traditional in-line tight end, flex into the slot, or move around the formation to exploit favorable matchups against linebackers and safeties. That flexibility should allow offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to be creative while giving Jaxson Dart a dependable option over the middle of the field and in the red zone.
When Malik Nabers returns to full health, the Giants could feature one of the more intriguing collections of young offensive talent in the NFC, with Nabers stretching defenses on the outside and Likely controlling the middle of the field.
Proven Success in Baltimore
Likely arrives from one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
In 2024, Baltimore’s tight ends combined for an NFL-leading 18 receiving touchdowns. The Ravens also finished:
- No. 1 in the NFL in yards per game (424.9)
- No. 1 in rushing yards per attempt (5.7)
- No. 1 in red-zone efficiency (74.2%)
- No. 3 in scoring offense (30.5 points per game)
Baltimore also set a franchise record with 7,224 total offensive yards, showing just how productive Harbaugh’s offensive system can be with the right personnel.
Final Thoughts
The Giants aren’t signing Isaiah Likely because of one injury-affected season. They’re investing in a talented, ascending tight end who already understands John Harbaugh’s culture and has proven he can make an impact in a winning offense.
At just 25 years old, Likely gives Jaxson Dart another dependable target while adding versatility to the offense. If he returns to the form he displayed in Baltimore before last season’s injury, this signing has the potential to become one of the best values of the Giants’ 2026 offseason.
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