Isaiah Likely doesn’t want to be a supporting character anymore. After battling through a preseason foot injury that sidelined him for the first three games of 2025, the Baltimore Ravens tight end never fully found his rhythm until late in the year.

By Thanksgiving, he said he finally felt like himself. The stat line? Just 27 catches — hardly the leap many expected from one of the NFL’s most athletic young tight ends.

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Now, as Likely approaches free agency for the first time, he’s made his priorities clear: he wants to “blossom.”

Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With Baker Mayfield locked in at quarterback and the offense trending aggressive under its current system, the Bucs could be an ideal landing spot for a versatile tight end who thrives in space. Likely has spent the last few seasons learning behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore — a Pro Bowl-caliber veteran who helped mold his game.

But Baltimore’s offensive pecking order is crowded. Andrews just secured a new deal. Rashod Bateman got paid. Zay Flowers is up next. Lamar Jackson’s extension looms again.

That’s a lot of mouths to feed.

In Tampa, the opportunity could look different.

The Buccaneers have weapons, but they’ve lacked a consistent mismatch at tight end who can stretch seams and create yards after the catch. Likely’s athletic profile fits that mold perfectly. At 6-4 with fluid movement skills, he’s built for modern NFL offenses that stress linebackers and safeties in coverage.

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For the Bucs, this wouldn’t just be a depth signing — it would be a statement. Pairing Isaiah Likely with Baker Mayfield could add a dynamic layer to Tampa Bay’s passing attack and give Likely exactly what he’s searching for: room to grow.

Sometimes a player doesn’t need a reset. He just needs a runway, and Baker Mayfield is “likely” drooling at the possibility.