{"id":57050,"date":"2025-06-19T03:22:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T03:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=57050"},"modified":"2025-06-19T03:22:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T03:22:28","slug":"see-him-as-the-future-baltimore-ravens-eye-extension-for-rising-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=57050","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSee Him as the Future\u201d: Baltimore Ravens Eye Extension for Rising Star"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Baltimore<\/a><\/p>\n
Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta walks across the the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Baltimore Ravens found an absolute steal in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting\u00a0Isaiah Likely\u00a0139th\u00a0overall. Since then, he has developed into a solid blocker and reliable target for Lamar Jackson, catching 108 passes for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns in 49 regular-season games. Likely had his best statistical season in 2024, hauling in 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns in 16 regular-season games, plus seven receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

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The Baltimore Ravens\u2019 TE enters the final year of his deal<\/h2>\n
\"Baltimore
Jan 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs the ball after making a catch during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Isaiah Likely enters the final year of his rookie contract. Due to\u00a0Proven Performance Escalators, which reward second to seventh-round picks for playing a significant amount of time, he is scheduled to earn a $3.406 million base salary along with a $3.532 million cap hit\u00a0in 2025. Finally, since Likely completed his third regular season, he can negotiate and secure a long-term extension this offseason, per\u00a0Article 7, Section 3 (k) (i) of the CBA.<\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens eye extension for rising star<\/h2>\n
\"Baltimore
Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) scores a first quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to Ian Rapoport on Tuesday, the Ravens view Isaiah Likely as the tight end of the future, even with Mark Andrews expected to play a huge role in 2025. Rapoport adds that the front office wants to extend their former fourth-round pick. It will be interesting to see how they handle Likely\u2019s contract on top of other players in line for an extension.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know the Ravens really see him as the future of the tight end position, even if they still see Mark Andrews with a big role this year,\u201d Rapoport said. \u201cHow they handle the Isaiah Likely situation \u2013 are they able to lock him up at some point before the season? \u2013 will be really interesting for Baltimore as well.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n