Giants’ Isaiah Likely draws unexpected ‘young Travis Kelce’ comparison

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Giants’ Isaiah Likely draws unexpected ‘young Travis Kelce’ comparison

Originally posted on NFL on ClutchPoints
By Benedetto Vitale, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jul 20, 2026 6:09 PM ET

The New York Giants signed Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million contract this offseason, giving him a new opportunity to become the starting tight end for an organization. While the talent is there, Likely is still unproven. Even so, his potential has a former ESPN analyst comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

Ryan Clark, who was just let go of ESPN on Monday, believes Likely will have a big year with the Giants in the 2026-27 season. Clark claims that the four-year veteran could emerge as a go-to candidate like Kelce did for the Chiefs early in his career. Especially with Malik Nabers’ injury status remaining unclear.

“Be very patient with Malik Nabers,” Clark said. “I believe Isaiah Likely could be a huge reason why you can be patient. When you think about the way [Likely] was paired with Mark Andrews in Baltimore, he was the guy that gave [the Ravens] the explosive plays… I believe [Giants’ offensive coordinator] Matt Nagy understands how to utilize a tight end. He could have a young Tavis Kelce effect for this New York Giants offense.”

"He can have a young Travis Kelce effect for this New York Giants offense."

—@Realrclark25 on Isaiah Likely possibly becoming a key component for the Giants pic.twitter.com/5UiIgS0hni

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 20, 2026

While the explosive plays were present last season in Baltimore, Likely has never been the No. 1 option as a tight end throughout his career so far. Mark Andrews was a big reason for that. But the Giants seemed to have seen enough to give Isaiah Likely the chance to prove himself.

Likely played 14 games for the Ravens last season, starting in seven. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 27 receptions, 307 yards, and one touchdown, all of which are career lows. Entering Year 5 of his career, Likely needs a big turnaround to showcase any abilities that are similar to Kelce.

For comparison’s sake, the Chiefs’ star didn’t take off until his fourth season in the league. Kelce split playing time with Anthony Fasano in the first three years of his career before finally taking over in the 2016-17 campaign. Becoming the lone starter is how he was able to forge the rest of his highly successful NFL career. Perhaps Isaiah Likely is in that same boat.

This article first appeared on NFL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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