Who will lead the tight end room into 2026?
The Baltimore Ravens kick off their 2025 season in Buffalo, but it is already time to keep one eye on the roster for 2026.
At this stage, there are two key questions that stand out for the Ravens.
Firstly, and always most importantly, Lamar Jackson. While Jackson is under contract for 2026, his cap hit will be an untenable $74 million.
Some form of renegotiation will have to be done and it would not be a surprise to see this announced prior to the start of the season.
Then again, we all know how down to the wire Jackson’s negotiations with the Ravens can be.
And then there is the battle which will rage on through this season.
Andrews vs Likely: Who will win out?
Beyond the quarterback position, there is an interesting debate at tight end (TE).
The Ravens have two of the best TEs in the league on their roster in Mark Andrews and Isiah Likely. But neither of them are signed beyond the end of the 2025 season.
It is hard to see the Ravens signing both and taking up significant cap room. Equally, if they had the choice, it would be a surprise to see the Ravens let both walk, given their focus on TEs and the run game.
That creates the perfect conditions for a shootout for the two free-agents-to-be.
The one caveat is that Isiah Likely is currently injured. However, having avoided IR to start the season, the Ravens clearly expect him to return before Week 5.
The reality is, given their age and experience, Likely will likely be retained and this will be Andrews’ last season in Baltimore – unless he wants to sign a sweetheart deal to stay.
| Mark Andrews | Isaiah Likely | |
| Targets | 243 | 158 |
| Receptions | 173 | 108 |
| Yards | 2,064 | 1,261 |
| TDs | 22 | 14 |
| Yards/Target | 11.9 | 11.7 |
| Broken Tackles | 6 | 14 |
On the counting stats, Andrews is generally ahead, largely given more opportunities over their three years together.
But where there is a clearer comparison is yards per target, where Likely is at 11.7 to Andrews’ 11.9.
Likely also has more broken tackles than Andrews – 14-6 – showing their different profiles as players.
Saying goodbye to a superstar?
Andrews’ career counting stats are far ahead of course, having starred since 2018. It would be tough to say goodbye to him, but that must be balanced against not letting Likely go.
The Ravens have just $36 million in cap space for 2026 for a roster of 37 players, excluding tight ends, with a need to keep some money back for free agency. That does include Jackson’s huge cap hit, which will be adjusted one way or another.
Likely is 25 and will expect to be paid to match his production. Andrews will be 31 before the 2026 season.
Assuming Likely produces at the same level he has over his first three years, he has to be the priority heading into free agency. He may even benefit from more opportunities if Andrews leaves or his production declines.
The numbers currently lean towards Andrews. But as ever, there will be tough decisions to make when the Ravens’ season ends, whenever that is.
