The Raiders locked up tight end Michael Mayer on Saturday, agreeing to a three-year contract extension worth $45 million just one day before the start of the 2026 season.
The deal includes $30 million in guarantees. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the average annual value of $15 million ranks fourth among current tight end contracts.
“The #Raiders have agreed to terms on a 3-year extension with TE Michael Mayer worth $45M with $30M guaranteed,” Rapoport said. “The $15M APY ranks 4th among current TE contracts. The deal was negotiated by Kyle McCarthy, Brian Murphy, and Cam Hahn of @athletesfirst.”
The timing is no coincidence. Star tight end Brock Bowers is sidelined after a meniscus procedure and will miss Sunday’s opener against the Miami Dolphins. Mayer, still only 25, is set to start in his place.
Mayer finished last season with 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. Those were career highs, even if the overall numbers remain modest for a player now among the highest-paid at his position.
Over three seasons he has 83 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns in 38 games, with 32 starts. The 6-foot-4, 258-pound former Notre Dame standout was a second-round pick, 35th overall, in 2023.
He is the first Raiders player to receive an extension while still on his rookie contract since Hunter Renfrow in 2022. Mayer is also the first member of that 2023 draft class to get a new deal. Only he, wide receiver Tre Tucker and quarterback Aidan O’Connell remain from that group.
Bowers missed five games in 2025 and now sits out at least the first game of 2026 after the procedure in Dallas. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak said the situation developed quickly.
“It all happened pretty quick. But yeah, he got it cleaned up, and we’ll get him back soon.”
Former NFL safety Su’a Cravens voiced concern about rushing players back from similar injuries.
“I’ve had my meniscus scoped four times. Was rushed back each time and tore it over and over again to the point I didn’t have a meniscus to scope. Now it’s bone on bone with a fracture that grows each year and is 10/10 pain to twist or turn and run. They’re gonna ruin this man’s career with injuries at this rate!”
Mayer has made clear he feels for his teammate while embracing the chance in front of him.
“I think just trying to be the best version of myself,” he said. “Obviously, we all feel horrible. Brock’s one of my good friends here. He’s in good spirits, though. He’s been attacking it already very well.
“Saw him in the training room this morning, already rehabbing and just doing all of that. It’s a business, it’s a profession, it’s a next-man-in mentality, and I’m excited for this opportunity. I’m just going to go out there and try to help my team win as best I can.”
He has spoken positively about the new offense under Kubiak.
“I really love this offense, I really love Klint. It’s just about being comfortable, being the type of player that I can be, and going out there and showing people.”
Offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko pointed to Mayer’s finishing ability.
“Mike does a lot of things well, and we try to emphasize what he does well in the run game, what he does well in the pass game. Just the way he finishes each play with the ball in his hand. I think that’s something that gives us an advantage.”
Kubiak’s scheme leans on multiple tight ends. Even after Bowers returns, Mayer figures to stay on the field in 12 personnel and other two-tight-end looks that the coach used heavily in previous stops.
The Raiders entered the weekend with limited cap space, making the commitment a notable one for a player who has missed games in each of his first three seasons. Mayer’s yards-after-catch average of 5.1 ranks 17th among tight ends since 2023.
Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium will be the first real look at how the offense functions with Mayer as the primary tight end. He has said he simply wants to play fast and let the game come to him.
The extension removes any question about his future in Las Vegas through at least 2028 and signals the team’s belief that two productive tight ends can be a foundation of the attack.
