The New England Patriots will have a lot of money to spend when 2026 free agency officially kicks off on March 11. There aren’t too many big-budget resignings to make, so much of New England’s more than $32 million in cap space will go toward acquiring new talent.

Of all the areas to address, none is more urgent than getting quarterback Drake Maye more pass catchers.

The Patriots have been heavily rumored to be interested in Baltimore Ravens free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely.

Likely fanned the flames of these rumors on Thursday night when he made an Instagram post that showed him courtside at a Boston Celtics game.

An Instagram user commented, “Come back home, bro.” Likely “liked” the comment in a non-private gesture that can be seen by all users.

In this day and age, nothing is accidental on social media.

The 25-year-old was born and raised in Cambridge, Mass. He graduated from Everett High School after transferring from Malden. He is Boston through and through.

Whether Likely’s social media jab was a move to put pressure on his current team or a genuine olive branch extended to the Patriots organization, one thing is for sure: Likely should be one of New England’s top free-agent targets this offseason.

The young tight end has been a consistent contributor for the Ravens since he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He combined for 784 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two seasons, but really made a name for himself in 2024 when he finished with a career-high 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.

Likely played out his rookie contract as the No. 2 tight end on Baltimore’s offense, stuck behind All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews in the pecking order.

His top-end athleticism makes him a breakout candidate that would thrive in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels offense.