In the modern NFL, contract negotiations don’t just happen in boardrooms; they play out on social media. For free agent Isaiah Likely, a single tap on an Instagram comment might be the biggest clue yet about where he’ll play next season. With the New England Patriots searching for more offensive weapons, Likely’s social media reaction suggests that he may be ready for a homecoming.

On Thursday, Isaiah Likely posted a carousel on Instagram, with one picture featuring him sitting courtside at a Boston Celtics game. While the post alone grabbed attention, what went down in the comment section ended up stirring the pot.

“Come back home, bro,” one user wrote, adding a heart and eyes emoji.

The 25-year-old responded by liking the comment. As his four-year, $4.16 million contract expired after the 2025 season, the timing of this online interaction carries weight. And since such public moves are often not random in celebrity culture, fans took it as a sign that he is ready to join his home team. For those who don’t know, Likely is a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

He attended Everett High School after transferring from Malden, making him a true hometown talent. And the team that represents the US state in focus is the Patriots. In fact, reports linking the two sides have been circulating for weeks now. According to projections, Mike Vrabel’s team will have over $32 million in cap space when the free agency window opens on March 9.

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Currently, they don’t have any internal free agents to prioritize and will likely seek outside talent to meet their requirements. One of their biggest needs is a reliable pass catcher for young quarterback Drake Maye, and Likely could be a match. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he has served as a steady player on Baltimore’s offense. His career peaked in 2024 when he logged 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.

So far, he has totaled 135 catches for 1,568 receiving yards and fifteen touchdowns. Playing behind All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews may have limited his role in the group. However, his athletic upside stands out and could be something the Patriots could capitalize on. If things don’t work out, there may be another who could go after him. 

Could Isaiah Likely be the perfect fit for Monken’s system?

The Cleveland Browns recently handed the charge to Todd Monken, a coach with a reputation for elevating offenses. He once lifted Oklahoma State’s offense 77 spots to No. 11 nationally. He has achieved many such feats, and this elite track record brings hope to Cleveland, especially after two dull seasons on offense.

With a terrible rushing and passing production, the Browns are ready to align with Monken’s system. His approach relies heavily on tight ends, deploying them in multiple sets. He mixes strong pre-snap motion with a physical running game and an Air Raid-style passing framework. While he uses 21 personnel groupings, his offense depends on a steady ground attack and an aggressive passing game.

Tight ends play a key role in this setup, whether blocking at the line or serving as receiving targets. Currently, Cleveland may already have a promising player in Harold Fannin, who posted 731 receiving yards, 107 targets, and 72 catches. But their tight end group still lacks depth. Now that David Njoku announced he won’t return and Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates have hit free agency, the team may turn to Isaiah Likely.

Even their practice squad offers no hope after they waived Sal Cannella and Caden Prieskorn. While Dallas Goedert and Kyle Pitts are the most sought-after agents on the market, affordability could keep the Browns from contacting them. Likely could serve as a more affordable option to anchor Monken’s scheme, given his declining production over the years.

But the stat sheet alone doesn’t define him. Additionally, they worked together when the coach served as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. While a foot injury in 2025 slowed his production, his usual form shows stability. Isaiah Likely brings strong route running, soft hands, positional versatility, and the ability to track the football. Adding him to the offense could be a steal for the Browns.