With flag football set to make its Olympic debut in 2028, conversations around potential Team USA rosters are heating up — and Isaiah Likely is already casting his vote.
The Baltimore Ravens tight end recently appeared on “Up & Adams” and made one thing clear: there’s no need to overthink it. Just give him Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers, and let the magic happen.
Lamar and Zay: A Duo Built for Gold?
Host Kay Adams kicked off the segment with a big claim, calling Jackson the “GOAT flag quarterback,” and Likely didn’t hesitate to double down.
“For sure,” Likely said. “I feel like, see, I’m a little biased because I feel like him and Zay, like if you put them two out there, I feel like that’s just all you need right there.”
Likely painted a picture of chaos for opposing defenses — one where Jackson and Flowers run wild in space, stopping on a dime and making defenders miss. “It’s just going to be a little too unfair,” he added.
Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers' advantage in flag football…
Chemistry >>> pic.twitter.com/uX8yUpHPNp
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow)
Adams echoed the logic, pointing out the often-overlooked value of existing chemistry. “Everybody’s picking their favorite speedy players or small players, Tyreek,” she said, “but you should probably have somebody that has chemistry … that they can go out there and it’s seamless.”
Likely couldn’t agree more. “For sure. For sure.”
Likely’s Breakout Year Could Be on the Horizon
While the focus of the interview was the Olympics, Likely’s own career arc is just as compelling. The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off a promising stretch backing up Mark Andrews.
In just three seasons, Likely has tallied 108 receptions for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s shown flashes of elite versatility, especially in divisional matchups — including 14 catches, 131 yards, and two touchdowns against the Bengals alone.
Now, he’s set to earn a base salary of $3.4 million in 2025, with a signing bonus of $126,084 — a major bump from his previous seasons. But money isn’t what’s on his mind right now.
Locked In on Baltimore, Not the Payday
“I love being here, I love being a Raven,” Likely said on the show. “The Flock knows I love them.”
With the tight end position potentially opening up and a contract year ahead, this season could be career-defining for him. But Likely’s keeping his head down and his focus on football. His philosophy? Let the agents do the talking — he’ll do the proving on the field.