Getty
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: General manager Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles may have just been handed a clear direction at tight end.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently named Baltimore Ravens free agent Isaiah Likely as the “perfect” 2026 signing for Philadelphia.
He wrote that “replacing Dallas Goedert with a more dynamic receiving threat in Likely could be exactly what the doctor ordered.”
Ballentine added that while Kyle Pitts “would have been a prime target,” Atlanta is expected to use the franchise tag, shifting the Eagles’ focus elsewhere.
If Goedert does move on, the idea makes a lot of sense.
Isaiah Likely Offers Eagles More Receiving Upside
Likely has flashed legitimate difference-making ability when given opportunities in Baltimore.
The 25-year-old caught 27 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown in 2025. Those numbers do not jump off the page, but they also do not tell the full story.
Ballentine pointed out that Likely “could reach new heights in an offense where he isn’t stuck behind Mark Andrews.” That has been the reality of his career so far.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2022, Likely has spent three seasons working behind one of the league’s most established tight ends.
When Andrews missed time in previous seasons, Likely showed what he could do in an expanded role.
He had 30 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, averaging 13.7 yards per reception. In 2024, he followed that up with 42 receptions for 477 yards and six scores.
Likely has explosive traits that make him so intriguing.
In 2025, his longest reception went for 43 yards. He also posted a season-high 95 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in November, highlighted by a 31-yard gain where he broke multiple tackles.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:329d2ef7-3210-4c13-a323-013c9afdf077-5" data-testid="conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
In the season finale, he delivered a 26-yard high point catch on fourth down against the Pittsburgh Steelers that would have set up a game-winning field goal and sent the Ravens to the playoffs if Tyler Loop had not missed.
Even in a reduced role in Baltimore, Likely consistently showed he can flip the field in one play. His burst after the catch and ability to win vertically make him far more than a traditional safety valve tight end.
A Seamless Fit in the Eagles’ Offense
Ballentine noted that Likely’s ability to play in line or as a jumbo slot would give the Eagles added flexibility. That versatility is key.
Philadelphia has traditionally leaned on its tight ends as central pieces of the passing game. From Zach Ertz to Goedert, the position has been a security blanket and a featured option over the middle for years.
If the Eagles are looking to evolve their passing attack under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, Likely presents a younger and more explosive option.
If Goedert leaves, general manager Howie Roseman will have to look at every option, including the draft. But free agency offers a proven player in Likely who still feels like he has another level to reach.
In the right system, Likely has the tools to emerge as a true No. 1 tight end.
That is why Bleacher Report labeled him a “perfect” fit for Philadelphia.