When the free-agent signing window opened this past March, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and incoming head coach John Harbaugh wasted no time signing tight end Isaiah Likely, who spent the past four years with the Baltimore Ravens.
It wasn't a big surprise, as many expected the Giants to poach from Harbaugh's old team, but the price was surprising: $40 million over three years. After all, Likely was the Ravens No. 2 tight end, behind Pro Bowler Mark Andrews. That's a lot of money for a part-time player.
Schoen and Harbaugh didn't see Likely as just a part-time player, though. They saw him as a potential game-changer. So far, they've been right.
In Thursday's 24-21 loss to the Washington Commanders, America saw what a game-changer Likely
can be. He caught nine passes for 127 yards, highlighted by an impressive 66-yard catch-and-run from quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Elite stuff.
McCarthy throws a SEED to Likely, who does the rest 🔥
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"[Matt Nagy] called a great play, J.J. threw a great ball, I saw nothing but green grass, [Malik Nabers]gave me a great open-field block, and at that point you've just got to score," Likely said after the game. "And there was a lot of time still left on the clock, and you never want to look too far ahead, but knew that we put ourselves in a great position."
Likely now has 55 receptions for 575 yards, which ranks third among tight ends this season, but his touchdown total (7) ranks first. He is up among the heavyweights stat-wise, such as Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and George Kittle.
Prorated over 17 games, Likely is on pace for 103 catches, 1,086 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He is optimistic about his future now that J.J. McCarthy is under center. Likely developed rapport and synergy with starting quarterback Jaxson Dart this summer and into the regular season.
When Dart went down with a knee injury in Week 2, that relationship fell apart. With McCarthy on the scene and the offense settling in, Likley is back on track for a banner debut season with the Giants.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Isaiah Likely making Giants look smart with steady, explosive play
