Feb. 20, 2026, 7:04 a.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely offered high praise for John Harbaugh, describing the new New York Giants head coach as a “great culture piece” in a recent appearance on Gruden Goes Long.
Likely, who played under Harbaugh in Baltimore, shared insights when asked by Jon Gruden what the Giants are getting in their latest hire.
“I say a great culture piece,” Likely said. “I feel like Harbaugh has a great mantra; a great culture. I feel like he’s going to tell the Giants — I mean, he’s going to have to call it something else — but ‘Play like a Raven’ was definitely like his mantra.
“When you played the Ravens, when you suited up as a Raven, you understood what it meant to wear that black and purple. And that was, you’re going to play violent, you’re going to be disciplined, and you’re going to get after it, snap in and snap out.”
Likely highlighted the benefits for the Giants’ roster, particularly with young players and a developing quarterback. He noted that Harbaugh’s rigorous conditioning tests will challenge the team initially.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
“Harbaugh’s conditioning test isn’t for the weak,” he said, predicting that players will ultimately embrace him. “They’re going to love Coach Harbaugh because of what he does and what he brings to the team.”
Harbaugh, a Super Bowl-winning coach who led the Ravens for 18 seasons, was hired by the Giants in January after leaving Baltimore. His arrival signals a push toward discipline, intensity, and sustained excellence in East Rutherford.
