The New York Giants have made their first big splash on the opening day of free agency.
According to Jordan Schultz, the Giants have agreed to a contract that brings former Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely to East Rutherford on a three-year, $40 million deal (up to $47.5):
BREAKING: The #Giants are signing former #Ravens TE Isaiah Likely to a 3-year, $40M contract with upside to $47.5M, per multiple sources. Deal done by @ErikBurkhardt of @RocNationSports.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2026
The deal makes Likely the 3rd-highest paid TE in the NFL, and pairs him with Jaxson Dart and… pic.twitter.com/qmjZkAYmNp
He makes too much sense for New York. The deal reunites Likely with John Harbaugh, the only head coach he’s played for during his four years in the NFL. Big Blue also gets a much-needed upgrade at the tight end position for up-and-coming star quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Giants sign tight end Isaiah Likely to three-year, $40 million deal
Talk about starting things off with a bang. Likely was one of the most sought-after free agents of the cycle.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old is a do-everything type of weapon. Likely can line up all over the formation, whether that’s attached to the line, in the slot, or even split out wide. That kind of versatility is exactly the type of playmaker a young QB like Dart can lean on while the offense continues to grow around him.
The reunion with Harby also makes this move feel pretty intentional. Harbaugh watched Likely develop up close in Baltimore and clearly believes there’s more there than what showed up on the stat sheet last season. Pairing him with Theo Johnson should give the G-Men a more flexible two-tight-end setup, something Harbaugh has always leaned on.
If Likely stays healthy, this has a chance to look like one of the smarter offensive additions they’ve made in a while. The former Coastal Carolina star has 135 career receptions for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns.