Getty
TE Isaiah Likely of the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the more intriguing decisions for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason is whether or not to move on from veteran tight end Dallas Goedert.
A second-round pick for Philly in 2018, Goedert has spent his entire eight-year career with the Eagles, but some think the 31-year-old could be on his way out the door in 2026. If that’s the case, a realistic replacement option could be Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Eagles Wire’s Glenn Erby thinks the Eagles moving on from Goedert and replacing him with Likely is, well…likely.
“Likely will have suitors on the open market, and thanks to the addition of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, the Eagles could offer the talented pass catcher a chance to win now, while establishing himself as one of the best at his position,” Erby wrote on February 23.
More on Why Philadelphia Eagles Could Sign TE Isaiah to Replace Dallas Goedert
GettyThe Philadelphia Eagles could move on from TE Dallas Goedert. If they do, signing Isaiah Likely could be an option.
Philadelphia’s tight end situation does feel as if it’s heading toward a transition. Like Goedert, Grant Calcaterra is also scheduled to hiy free agency, leaving the roster thin at a position that has traditionally been important in Nick Sirianni’s offense.
“The Eagles knew when to move on from Zach Ertz, and they could make a similar decision with Dallas Goedert,” Erby noted, adding: “While Likely isn’t a homegrown option, he’s younger and just as explosive.”
At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Likely has a frame big enough to handle in-line duties while also serving as a receiving threat. He turns 26 in April, so his best seasons may still be ahead of him.
Here’s a glance at Likely’s regular season stats by season:
2022: 16 games, 36 receptions, 373 yards, 3 touchdowns
2023: 17 games, 30 receptions, 411 yards, 5 touchdowns
2024: 16 games, 42 receptions, 477 yards, 6 touchdowns
2025: 14 games, 27 receptions, 307 yards, 1 touchdown
Keep in mind — those numbers came while sharing snaps with Mark Andrews in a run-heavy system. In Philadelphia, he would see a clearer path to consistent targets, especially if Goedert departs.
Financially, Likely is also attractive, as he’s unlikely to command top-of-market money at tight end. Recent free-agency projections from Spotrac have his market value in the range of a mid-tier deal, possibly around two years and $17.5 million.
The Athletic Thinks Goedert Is a Goner in 2026
There seems to be a growing sentiment amongst Eagles beat writers and insiders that Goedert’s days in Philly are numbered.
“The Eagles delayed addressing this position group by reconstructing Dallas Goedert’s contract last offseason. But the eight-year veteran is scheduled to hit free agency after setting the team record for single-season touchdown catches by a tight end (11),” Brooks Kubena of The Athletic wrote on February 23, adding:
“It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which Goedert returns with the Eagles for his age-31 season, a year after the organization shopped him around. But, foremost, this position group is undergoing an identity shift under the new offensive coaching staff.”
That makes sense. Getting younger and more athletic at TE feels inevitable for the Eagles.
And signing Likely wouldn’t mean they couldn’t add another young TE in the draft, either. In fact, pairing him with a young prospect could give the team both short-term stability and long-term upside.
We’ll see how it shakes out, but don’t be surprised if Goedert is wearing a different jersey for the first time in 2026.
More Heavy on Eagles
Loading more stories