Jaxson Dart deserved the Rookie of the Year trophy solely off the strength of the talent (or lack thereof) around him. Once WR Malik Nabers and RB Cam Skattebo suffered painful season-ending injuries, Dart had Wan’Dale Robinson and civilians who won some sort of Mark Wahlberg-Invincible-esque local New Jersey tryout.
With Wan’Dale Robinson joining Brian Daboll’s Tennessee startup, the Giants will need a receiving threat to prevent opposing defenses from locking down Malik Nabers, who may be a step slower, considering his entire leg was destroyed last season.
Enter Isaiah Likely.
Giants signing TE Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40M deal. (via @TomPelissero, @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/tdLxIfXLHc
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026
The New York Giants sign TE Isaiah Likely to a 3-year deal worth up to $45 million in incentives, making Likely one of the highest paid tight ends in the NFL.
Isaiah Likely Highlights.
The Giants are starting to look scary.pic.twitter.com/3K79cxele7 https://t.co/3UhQoQQGS5
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) March 9, 2026
Isaiah Likely’s 2025 was the worst of his career, scoring only one (1) touchdown in 14 games, with just 27 receptions for 307 yards.
However, last season was weird for everyone in Baltimore. Shit, it’s the reason John Harbaugh’s the Giants head coach. Lamar Jackson sufered an injury, he and the team were not on the same page about his return, Cooper Rush and Tyler Huntley played more than any good football team would allow.
The 25-year-old tight end is joining forces with 24-year-old Theo Johnson and his 45 catches and 5 touchdowns.
At full strength, with Cam Skattebo in the backfield, Malik Nabers outside, Likely and Theo Johnson Red Rovering off the line of scrimmage, and whatever young receiver the Giants add in the draft next month, New York is building a powerhouse offensive engine around the 2nd year maniac who’s proven his willingness to sacrifice everything to get the team into the endzone.
Best case scenario
Jaxson Dart and Isaiah Likely become the most dangerous redzone duo in the league. Mark Andrews owned Lamar Jackson’s faith, especially near the goal line. Likely gets to start a new relationship with a young QB whose confidence radiates into his teammates’ DNA.
Worst case scenario
Love the Giants offseason. The organization looks more, well, organized than the Daboll days.
But New York snuck in a Matt Nagy offensive coordinator signing that does not bode well for Likely.
Matt Nagy’s only coached a Top 10 passing offense twice. Both teams in Kansas City, with Andy Reid over his shoulder and Patrick Mahomes snapping the ball.
Matt Nagy has shown zero signs he is a capable playcaller but he’s a mediocre white man with powerful people making calls for him so he’ll be in the NFL, ruining offenses for life. Fucking Adam Gase is back.
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