Since John Harbaugh took over as the New York Giants' head coach, several changes have already started to reshape the team, giving Big Blue fans something to actually be excited about.
Of course, with a new coach comes a new coaching staff, bringing in offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Chris Horton.
The G-Men had a productive draft, bringing in players like Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa to help build for the future. However, most of Big Blue’s changes came in free agency, and one player in particular was their most important signing, not just financially but on the field as well.
Isaiah Likely’s impact with the Giants in 2026 makes it worth the cost
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports recently broke down every NFL team’s offseason spending and its most expensive free agent. The Giants were aggressive, spending the sixth-most money in free agency and bringing in 31 new players across the roster.
The G-Men’s most expensive free agent signing was veteran tight end Isaiah Likely, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal with $27 million fully guaranteed. The 26-year-old arrives after spending four seasons with Harbaugh in Baltimore and is a timely addition for New York.
Likely will essentially function as a non-traditional wide receiver and be a much-needed weapon for Jaxson Dart, especially with the Giants’ pass catchers dealing with injuries.
There’s still uncertainty around Malik Nabers’ status, who is still recovering from a season-ending ACL injury; Darius Slayton is recovering from a recent core-muscle surgery, and Gunner Olszewski suffered a torn Achilles injury in practice last month.
Likely is no stranger to sharing a tight end room, as he shared one with three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews on the Ravens and will now split snaps with Theo Johnson. This time around, he should be the main focus as the veteran in this tight end room, and with all the injuries the G-Men have faced to their pass catchers, Likely is set for a breakout season in 2026.
If Likely delivers the kind of production this offense needs, nobody’s going to be talking about the hefty price tag. Suddenly, the $13.33 million he is set to make in 2026 will be worth every penny.
We all know what the veteran tight end is capable of accomplishing with Big Blue!
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