Panthers Predicted to Sign 15-TD TE in Free Agency to Boost Offense Around Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan

PFSN's NFL analyst Jacob Infante suggests the Panthers sign Isaiah Likely, a versatile receiving tight end, to give Bryce Young another reliable target.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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After the Carolina Panthers exceeded expectations in 2025, the team is predicted to sign a versatile receiving tight end in free agency to help Bryce Young and the offense maintain their momentum. PFSN's Jacob Infante has ranked Isaiah Likely, a tight end from the Baltimore Ravens, as the 4th-best tight end and 67th overall free agent. Infante suggests the Panthers could sign Likely to a two-year, $10.9 million deal, which would immediately slot him in as the top tight end option and give Young another explosive weapon alongside 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan.

Why it matters

The Panthers' tight end group in 2025 struggled, with their top three tight ends finishing 40th, 41st, and 51st in PFSN's TE Impact Metric. Signing Likely, who has consistently been a highly effective tight end despite playing behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore, would provide a significant upgrade and give the Panthers' offense even more firepower around young quarterback Bryce Young.

The details

Despite operating as the TE2 in Baltimore behind Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely has been a highly productive tight end, posting a 77.0 TE Impact Score in 2023 (15th) and an 80.8 score in 2024 (9th). Even in a down 2025 season where he missed multiple games due to injury, Likely still managed a 74.4 Impact Score, ranking 29th among tight ends. With Andrews already signed long-term, Likely may be motivated to explore new opportunities, making the Panthers an appealing fit as they look to build around Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan.

  • In 2023, Likely posted a 77.0 TE Impact Score, ranking 15th.
  • In 2024, Likely posted an 80.8 TE Impact Score, ranking 9th.
  • In 2025, Likely posted a 74.4 TE Impact Score, ranking 29th despite missing multiple games due to injury.

The players

Isaiah Likely

A tight end who has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Likely has consistently been a highly productive tight end despite operating as the TE2 behind Mark Andrews.

Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers' young quarterback, who led the team to an unexpected strong season in 2025.

Tetairoa McMillan

The Carolina Panthers' 2025 first-round wide receiver pick, who will be another key offensive weapon alongside Likely and Young.

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What they’re saying

“All things considered, I'd argue Isaiah Likely is better than his numbers indicate. He's had to battle with the likes of Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar for snaps in the Ravens' tight end room, yet he's still managed to average over 400 receiving yards each of the last two seasons.”

— Jacob Infante, NFL Analyst (PFSN)

“If you want to see Likely's impact, his quarterbacks have averaged a passer rating of 124.3 in his four seasons with Baltimore. In the last two seasons, Lamar Jackson has been healthy and posted a passer rating above 135.0 in both. He's dropped just 2 of his 80 targets over the last two years, as well.”

— Jacob Infante, NFL Analyst (PFSN)

What’s next

The Panthers will need to negotiate a contract with Isaiah Likely in free agency to bring him in as a key offensive weapon for Bryce Young and the team's passing attack.

The takeaway

Signing Isaiah Likely, a highly productive tight end who has been overshadowed in Baltimore, would give the Panthers' offense a major boost and provide Bryce Young with another reliable target alongside 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan. This move could help the Panthers return to playoff contention in the NFC South in 2026.