Raiders Secure Michael Mayer
Raiders Sign Tight End Michael Mayer to a Three-Year, $45 Million Extension
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Key Points
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Mayer was heading into the final season of his four-year rookie contract when the Raiders agreed to the extension.
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Although Mayer is listed as Brock Bowers’ backup, the Raiders expect both tight ends to be on the field for most offensive snaps when healthy, rather than treating Mayer strictly as a reserve.
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Bowers could become the next major financial priority at the position, with NBC Sports noting that the 2024 first-round pick may seek his own contract extension next year.
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Mayer’s 2025 production came on 50 targets, giving him a 35-catch, 328-yard, one-touchdown line across 13 games.
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Bowers is expected to miss at least one or two games after his meniscus-trim procedure, creating an immediate opportunity for Mayer’s expanded role against Miami.
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed tight end Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed. Clutch Points reports the deal gives Mayer an average annual salary of $15 million, making him the fourth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL. The extension comes as Mayer steps into a bigger role while star teammate Brock Bowers recovers from a meniscus procedure.
Mayer, a 2023 second-round pick, caught 35 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets last season across 13 games. TSN notes the Raiders plan to use both tight ends heavily in their offense rather than keeping Mayer strictly as a backup once Bowers returns. The move signals the team's confidence in building around two elite tight ends under new coach Klint Kubiak.
Mayer Steps Up While Bowers Recovers
Bowers underwent a meniscus-trim procedure and is expected to miss at least one or two games. TSN reports this creates an immediate opening for Mayer to expand his role against Miami and beyond. The Raiders signed Mayer to protect their passing game during the recovery period and to take advantage of his development this season.
Mayer was heading into the final year of his four-year rookie contract when the Raiders agreed to the extension. The timing gives him long-term security while the Raiders build their offense around young quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Both tight ends are expected to see most of the offensive snaps when healthy, creating a two-tight-end system similar to other NFL powerhouses.
Fourth-Highest Paid Among Current NFL Tight Ends
The New York Times reports Mayer's $15 million average salary ranks fourth among current NFL tight ends. The deal puts him among elite pass-catchers at the position, reflecting the Raiders' belief he can become a centerpiece of their passing attack. The extension also protects the team's investment in a player with multiple seasons of development ahead.
Larry Brown Sports notes this is the Raiders' first tight end extension since they signed Hunter Renfrow four years ago. That history underscores how the franchise views Mayer as a long-term solution at the position. With Bowers already on the roster, the Raiders are betting on a future where both tight ends anchor their offense for years to come.
Bowers May Seek His Own Extension Soon
Clutch Points reports that Bowers, a 2024 first-round pick, could become the Raiders' next major financial priority at the position. The rookie had an impressive debut and is likely to command a lucrative contract extension soon after returning to health. Securing both tight ends long-term puts the Raiders in a strong position to compete with elite offenses around the league.
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