March 4, 2026, 4:56 p.m. ET
Change is coming in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t always used Dallas Goedert as often as some think they should in the offensive attack. Last season, they rode him more consistently. He rewarded that trust by setting a franchise record for touchdown catches by a tight end. Still, roster turnover is inevitable, and it appears that Goedert will indeed be part of the change.
Production, reliability, and leadership aren’t easy to replace. Still, a report released after the recent NFL Combine says all signs point to a split. Goedert is seemingly as good as gone.
When that happens, the Eagles won’t just be losing a third-down and red-zone weapon. They’ll be losing a tone-setter in the middle of the field. The question becomes simple. How do you transition without taking a step back offensively? A recent idea from Bleacher Report offers a potential answer.
Might the Eagles have interest in Isaiah Likely?
In its feature titled Top 2026 NFL Free-Agency Values at Every Position for Teams to Target, Bleacher Report identified Likely as the best bargain option at tight end. Interestingly, they listed the Eagles as a logical landing spot. The reasoning? Familiarity, scheme fit, and the reality that market dynamics don’t always align with perceived value.
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“Likely had a relatively quiet 2025 campaign, and it’s not apparent that he’s got the size and strength to consistently excel and remain healthy as an every-down guy… A foot injury held him back in 2025, and a lack of consistent targets had the same effect overall during his time in Baltimore, which should keep the price tag below the elite level for a guy who actually posted the eighth-highest PFF grade at the tight end position in 2024.”
Likely hasn’t gotten the same attention as guys like Kyle Pitts, but here’s a serious question. Are you certain that a healthy Isaiah Likely isn’t just as good as Pitts is?
No, think about that. Are you absolutely certain?
We know that Likely will be more cost-effective. We know he’s better than Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson. Let Likely test the market. Let the numbers settle. Consider adding him at a more team-friendly price if demand doesn’t meet expectations.
From a roster-building standpoint, it’s pragmatic. The Eagles could maintain continuity for their quarterback and avoid forcing a rookie into an oversized role. This buys them time to draft a rookie and develop the next long-term answer. It also prevents a sudden shift in the schematic.
Goedert already understands the system, the expectations, and the locker room culture. That means most of this decision to move on is mostly about pricing. Philadelphia can be cold when it comes to contracts. They’re certainly disciplined. If the bidding climbs for Likely or anyone else, they’ll pivot.
The new coaching staff reportedly hasn’t talked to him. Sure, one can argue that Likely could be in line for a huge pay, but if the market cools and the value aligns, this ‘bargain’ scenario wouldn’t just be convenient.
It would then become strategic, and that’s exactly what teams like the Eagles would look for. It’s moves like these that help the smart franchises become the consistent contenders in the NFL.