The 2026 free agent class looks like it’s going to be a lot better than 2027, and the Jets need to take full advantage of that and strike while the iron is hot. They should try to land Isaiah Likely instead of focusing on the wide receiver position.
The Jets wide receiver room looks like this right now (assuming they use the RFA tenders on John Metchie III and Irvin Charles):
WR1: Garrett Wilson
WR2: Metchie III
WR3: Adonai Mitchell
WR4: Arian Smith
WR5: Isaiah Williams (return specialist)
WR6: Irvin Charles (special teams)
For many, that’s not a wide receiver room to hang your hat on, and it’s also not a top-level WR room for the next quarterback. Jets fans would hate it if they went into 2026 with that room. However, they could, and it would be ok.
It is a high possibility that Isaiah Likely will hit the free agent market in 2026. The current Baltimore Ravens tight end should be a top target in free agency for a Jets team that wants to improve, and an acquisition of the tight end, who turns 26 in April, would be a welcome addition to the skill position group of the Jets. His acquisition would make it so the Jets don’t need to acquire a wide receiver.
The Jets can mix and match Likely in a bunch of different formations:
11 personnel: in-line TE, slot, or outside
12 personnel: in-line TE, outside WR, wingback, or fullback
13 personnel: in-line TE, wingback, or FB
21/22 personnel: in-line TE, outside WR, or FB
When you combine his position versatility with his ability to catch and block — which aren’t necessarily on the elite Rob Gronkowski level — they’d have an all-around tight end that’s worthy of top targets. That would essentially make him the No. 2 or 3 target on the field on many plays.
So, with him, Wilson, Mason Taylor, and Breece Hall (if he returns) as options, those are four formidable options when on the field together. Throw in his ability to block in the running game, and the Jets don’t necessarily need to get a WR2 — or even WR3 — in 2026.
So, what could Likely command?
I project him to be somewhere around 5 years, with a value of $50,558,270, including $11,303,540 fully guaranteed at signing.
Here’s the breakdown for the guarantees:
2026 Cash: $6,240,095
Base Salary: $1.215 million
Signing Bonus: $5,024,095
2027 Cash: $5,064,445
Base Salary: $1.26 million
Option Bonus: $3,804,445
Injury Guarantee with 2027 trigger for full guarantee:
2028 Cash: $7,052,735
Base Salary: $1.3 million
Option Bonus: $5,752,735
2029 Cash: $14,450,998
Base Salary: $11,450,998 (fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year)
Roster Bonus: $2 million (paid on the fifth day of the league year)
Per-Game Roster Bonus: $1 million
Dead Cap Charge for Release: $9,934,493
Cap Savings: $7,692,760
2030 Cash: $16,450,997
Base Salary: $13,450,997
Roster Bonus: $2 million
Per-Game Roster Bonus: $1 million
Dead Cap Charge for Release: $6,758,238
Cap Savings for Release: $12,869,014
How that looks on paper:
Depending on where he’s at in his career come 2029, even those cap charges don’t look too bad based on his age, potential production level, and where the cap will be. Given where the list of tight ends is in terms of AAV, for 2026, his place in that position is perfect. It’s a win-win contract for everyone.