{"id":161837,"date":"2026-03-09T14:25:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T14:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837"},"modified":"2026-03-09T14:25:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T14:25:25","slug":"chiefs-strike-early-with-likely-as-the-kansas-city-chiefs-reportedly-reach-a-verbal-agreement-with-tight-end-isaiah-likely-before-free-agency-even-opens-the-unexpected-move-is-already-sparking-buzz-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837","title":{"rendered":"CHIEFS STRIKE EARLY WITH LIKELY as the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly reach a verbal agreement with tight end Isaiah Likely before free agency even opens. The unexpected move is already sparking buzz about how he could fit into Kansas City\u2019s dynamic offense. Around the league, many believe this addition could quietly reshape the Chiefs\u2019 passing attack. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<h1>Chiefs Make Early Splash Before Free Agency, Reach Verbal Agreement with TE Isaiah Likely \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfc8<\/h1>\n<div class=\"time\"><i class=\"bi bi-clock\"><\/i>\u00a0Posted March 7, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad-below-title mb-3\">\n<div id=\"adsconex-video-container\" class=\"adsconex-video-container__sticky\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-video-container__btn-close\">\u00d7<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"description\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-69a1fa19-3c08-8323-86ba-5fdac4f6e0a4-30\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-220\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"5fe3d1e0-91a0-45b6-9047-819a8f26a471\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-3\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"369\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Ravens-Isaiah-Likely-Goes-Nuclear-on-Chiefs-Fan-After-Controversial-Final-Play.jpg?w=1000&amp;quality=86&amp;strip=all\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" \/><br \/>\nKansas City, MO \u2014 The\u00a0<span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/span>\u00a0have reportedly made an early move ahead of the free agency period, reaching a verbal agreement with tight end\u00a0<span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Isaiah Likely<\/span>\u00a0on a deal expected to reshape the team\u2019s offensive future.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"525\">The move signals a clear direction for Kansas City as the franchise continues building around superstar quarterback\u00a0<span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Patrick Mahomes<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"527\" data-end=\"787\">After another strong season leading the Chiefs\u2019 high-powered offense, Mahomes remains the centerpiece of the franchise, and the organization appears determined to continue surrounding him with dynamic playmakers capable of creating mismatches across the field.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"911\">From a roster standpoint, the move also reflects Kansas City\u2019s desire to strengthen the tight end position for the future.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"913\" data-end=\"1197\">Veteran star\u00a0<span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Travis Kelce<\/span>\u00a0remains one of the most productive tight ends in football but is entering the later stages of his career, prompting the Chiefs to look for a younger weapon who can contribute immediately while developing into a long-term centerpiece.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1324\">Likely\u2019s athletic profile makes him an intriguing fit in head coach\u00a0<span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Andy Reid<\/span>\u2019s offensive system.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1527\">Known for his ability to stretch the field, create yards after the catch, and exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties, Likely could quickly emerge as one of Mahomes\u2019 most dangerous targets.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1529\" data-end=\"1757\">According to early reports, the agreement is expected to be worth\u00a0<strong data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1626\">around $12 million per year<\/strong>, a figure that reflects both Likely\u2019s upside and Kansas City\u2019s confidence that he can become a major contributor in their offense.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"2009\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">If finalized once the league year officially begins, the signing would not only add a talented young playmaker to Kansas City\u2019s offense \u2014 it could also signal the beginning of a new era at tight end for the Chiefs as they prepare for the future. \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chiefs Make Early Splash Before Free Agency, Reach Verbal Agreement with TE Isaiah Likely \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfc8 \u00a0Posted March 7, 2026 \u00d7 Kansas City, MO \u2014 The\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u00a0have&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":161840,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-161837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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The unexpected move is already sparking buzz about how he could fit into Kansas City\u2019s dynamic offense. Around the league, many believe this addition could quietly reshape the Chiefs\u2019 passing attack. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CHIEFS STRIKE EARLY WITH LIKELY as the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly reach a verbal agreement with tight end Isaiah Likely before free agency even opens. The unexpected move is already sparking buzz about how he could fit into Kansas City\u2019s dynamic offense. Around the league, many believe this addition could quietly reshape the Chiefs\u2019 passing attack. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chiefs Make Early Splash Before Free Agency, Reach Verbal Agreement with TE Isaiah Likely \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfc8 \u00a0Posted March 7, 2026 \u00d7 Kansas City, MO \u2014 The\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u00a0have...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-09T14:25:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/648795116_122112892989218494_366337928518248428_n.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161837\",\"name\":\"CHIEFS STRIKE EARLY WITH LIKELY as the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly reach a verbal agreement with tight end Isaiah Likely before free agency even opens. 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