Overview
- The Giants signed Likely to a three-year, $40 million deal and have signaled they intend to make him a central offensive weapon rather than a secondary option.
- Training-camp reports on Wednesday show Likely calling himself a 'chess piece' who can line up outside, in the slot, in-line, or in the backfield as he builds chemistry with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
- Likely spent four seasons in Baltimore as the Ravens’ secondary tight end behind Mark Andrews, so his modest career receiving totals reflect limited opportunity rather than unfamiliarity with Harbaugh’s system.
- Giants coaches including Greg Roman and Matt Nagy are mixing philosophies to use Likely in run and pass concepts, and Roman’s return gives the staff a direct schematic link to plays Likely ran as a rookie.
- Early practices show the Giants’ offense still searching for consistent traction while the defensive front has dominated, so the next evaluations will come in the coming weeks as preseason reps reveal whether Likely can translate camp production into regular-season impact.