Free agent tight end Isaiah Likely scores a touchdown against the Houston Tecasn during a 2024 game.
As the Washington Commanders continue to rebuild on both sides of the ball, free agent tight end Isaiah Likely could fill that gap. Former Washington safety Matt Bowen thinks Likely is a great fit for the Commanders’ new offense. Bowen, now a writer at ESPN, outlined his reasoning.
“With the Commanders making the transition to new offensive coordinator David Blough, Likely could replace free agent Zach Ertz as the middle-of-the-field target for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones. He had 27 catches for 301 yards and a touchdown with Baltimore last season.”
In 63 games, with 26 starts in Baltimore, the 25-year-old caught 135 passes for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. Operating primarily as a backup, likely excelling when called upon. Now, with free agency looming, he can make a difference. One of the major questions is how much the Commanders will want to pay him.
GettyFree agent Isaiah Likely makes a catch against the Commanders in a 2024 game.
According to Spotrac, Likely owns a market value of $8.8 million. Meanwhile, Zach Ertz is nine years older (35). Yet, the age difference between the two isn’t the only issue between the two soon-to-be free agents.
At this point in their respective careers, Likely is the better receiving option in regard to upside. While Ertz offers sure hands, the former Raven also does but possesses the ability to streak away from defenders. Ertz no longer owns that gear and explosion. While $8.8 million for a player who started less than half of his career games seems steep, Likely’s scheme fit would override the money. Potentially, a three-year, $25 million deal could be the sweet spot for the Commanders.
Isaiah Likely pic.twitter.com/MK8Sjix0XD https://t.co/M2TiCIJPq5
— JacksonMuse (@Jackson_muse) February 12, 2026
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New Commanders Offensive Coordinator Would Want Upgrades
As a former quarterback, Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough understands and values the tight end. While blocking matters and needs to be taken into consideration, the benefits of receiving outweigh the drawbacks. During this conversation, Blough mentioned wanting to target wide receiver Terry McLaurin at least ten times during the course of a game.
With Likely winning down the seam, that will force defenses to draw coverage from being rolled towards McLaurin. In Baltimore, Likely ran a healthy route tree and even included a wheel route down the sideline.
Moreover, the run game would enjoy the space to operate without defenses crowding the box. Although he’s not known for his blocking, statistics bear out that Likely is a decent blocker. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a grade of 66.5, good enough to be ranked No. 28 out of all eligible tight ends.
On the other hand, his pass blocking needs fine-tuning, ranking No. 109. He will rush through the chip to run out into the pattern. Still, when the tight end remains on the field in passing situations, he won’t really serve as a blocker.
Isaiah Likely – 2025/26 pic.twitter.com/iYgLtRgqNr
— 🏜️ (@SimplyAS10) February 7, 2026
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Jayden Daniels’ Passing Sees Dramatic Change
The middle of the football field is the largest area, offering the best chances for a big play, especially over 10 yards. Over his first two seasons, Daniels flashed consistency in targeting players down the middle. His 52-for-74 stat line beyond 10 yards in 2024 shows that the potential exists.
Likely, at six-foot-four, he offers a vast catch radius, especially if defenses want to deploy a smaller defensive back. With Blough promising a more pass-friendly offense, the Commander could easily assimilate the free agent into the Commanders’ scheme.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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