Isaiah Likely’s future with the Baltimore Ravens has become one of the NFL‘s most intriguing offseason storylines, and a simple social media interaction recently sent speculation into overdrive.
The 25-year-old tight end, set to become an unrestricted free agent this March, recently “liked” an Instagram post from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a move that quickly ignited chatter about a potential reunion in Arrowhead.
Mahomes had shared a dramatic image of himself entering a stadium tunnel during last season’s playoffs, captioned with his signature clock emoji, and Likely‘s like was all it took to spark conversations about a future pairing between two dynamic offensive weapons.
Related:
Chiefs fans and NFL observers took the gesture as a hint that Likely might be open to a change of scenery, especially after a year in Baltimore that ended with his lowest statistical output since entering the league.
The backdrop to these rumors is significant. Earlier in December, the Ravens committed to veteran standout tight end Mark Andrews with a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension, a decision that appears to have pushed Likely toward free agency.
With Andrews locked in as the top target, Baltimore’s front office may be reluctant to hand a big deal to Likely as well, especially when cap space and roster balance are key offseason priorities.
Ravens fans have already begun expressing concern, with many hoping Likely remains in Baltimore despite the team’s apparent commitment to Andrews.
Chiefs fit and free agency landscape
For the Chiefs, the idea of adding Isaiah Likely isn’t farfetched. Kansas City’s offense struggled at times last season with inconsistency among its pass catchers outside of Travis Kelce, who himself logged uneven production compared to his peak years.
Injuries and underperformance among other wideouts left Mahomes searching for reliable targets, creating a gap that a versatile tight end like Likely could fill.
Likely‘s combination of receiving ability, size, and blocking prowess makes him a rare asset for any offense. Even if Kelce returns to full form, Mahomes could benefit from having a secondary tight end who can stretch the field, contribute in the red zone, and support the run game.
Analysts note that while Likely‘s stats last season were modest, 27 receptions for 307 yards and one touchdown, his youth and potential make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their offense.
As free agency approaches in March, multiple teams are expected to monitor Likely closely, evaluating whether he can transition into a more prominent role.
Deciding whether to match offers or let him explore the market will be a critical offseason choice for Baltimore. For the Chiefs, a potential signing could help Mahomes regain offensive consistency and give Kansas City another weapon to challenge defenses in 2026.
Baltimore fans may be hoping that a social media like was just friendly admiration, but for now, the speculation is impossible to ignore.