Isaiah Likely opens up about probably no longer having Lamar Jackson as his QB

The Baltimore Ravens signing veteran tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year contract extension this past December basically guaranteed that fellow Baltimore tight end Isaiah Likely would be permitted to reach free agency when the new league year opens on March 11. 

Most expect that Likely will agree to a deal with a different club at some point after the "legal tampering" portion of free agency gets underway on March 9. During a Wednesday appearance on the "Up & Adams" program, Likely spoke about what it might feel like to not have two-time MVP Lamar Jackson as his quarterback for the first time since the Ravens drafted Likely in 2022.

Isaiah Likely can seemingly see the writing on the wall

"I feel like it won't hit me until it hits me," Likely acknowledged. "...It's just one of those feelings where it hasn't really hit me yet, because, technically, I haven't left, quote unquote. But it's also, like, separating the business side from the family side. And I feel like [Jackson] understands where I'm at right now in free-agency talks and contract talks, and where it could go."

On Tuesday, Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic shared that he expects Likely will receive a multiyear contract worth "$12M or more per year" from a team other than Baltimore. On Feb. 27, ESPN's Aaron Schatz predicted that the Miami Dolphins would win a bidding war for Likely's services. CBS Sports' Josh Edwards noted that the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints are among teams that also have a need at the position. 

Is Isaiah Likely open to returning to the Ravens? 

"The door is always open to Baltimore, only because that's family," Likely responded when asked if he's open to returning to the Ravens. "They took a chance on me when all 31 [teams] passed [on him during the 2022 draft]." 

That said, Likely added that he knows this is a business and that he feels he has to make a financial decision that's best for his family. After speaking with Likely, show host Kay Adams seemed convinced the 25-year-old is about to have a new football home.