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Raiders Abruptly Terminate Contract of Former Starter

Las Vegas Raiders
Aug 27, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak watches game play against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders waived offensive guard Atonio Mafi on Thursday, a corresponding move after claiming guard Bryce Cabeldue off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, via the NFL transaction log.

The transaction came days before Las Vegas opens the regular season at Allegiant Stadium against the Miami Dolphins. Mafi, 25, had survived final cuts and was on the initial 53-man roster.

The Raiders instead added Cabeldue, a 6-foot-4, 308-pound second-year player drafted by Seattle in the sixth round in 2025 who appeared in eight games last season.

Mafi started two games for the Raiders last season. The 6-3, 330-pound UCLA product played in three games overall in 2025, logging 152 offensive snaps, and started the final two contests — a Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and a Week 18 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Those were his first starts since a five-game stretch as a rookie with the New England Patriots in 2023.

New England selected Mafi in the fifth round, 144th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft. He played all 17 games that year and started five. After failing to stick in New England in 2024, he spent time on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad and active roster, appearing in three games without a start.

Las Vegas signed him on July 22, 2025. He was waived at the end of training camp, signed to the practice squad, and promoted to the 53-man roster on Dec. 22 when center/guard Jordan Meredith went on injured reserve.

Career totals stand at 23 games and seven starts. Mafi was on a two-year, $2.175 million deal with Las Vegas that included a $1.145 million cap number for 2026. Waiving him creates roster space and modest cap relief with no reported dead money of note.

The move continues a reshuffle along an offensive line the Raiders have tried to upgrade after a difficult 2025. Las Vegas already traded Meredith to the New York Jets at the end of August and has mixed veterans, draft picks and waiver claims at guard and tackle.

Cabeldue started 12 games at right tackle as a senior at Kansas and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention.

Mafi is now subject to the waiver wire. If he clears, he can sign with another club or return to a practice squad.

For a player who worked his way from the practice squad into two late-season starts in silver and black, Thursday’s cut ends a short but eventful Raiders tenure just as the new season begins.

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