After losing starting tight end Brock Bowers for at least a game or two, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to give backup tight end Michael Mayer a three-year, $45 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed.
Compensation update on Michael Mayer: https://t.co/itVlMykfT9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2026
There have been some other tight end contracts across the NFL, so Mayer is now the sixth-highest-paid tight end in the league in terms of average per year. Only George Kittle with the San Francisco 49ers, Trey McBride with the Arizona Cardinals, Tucker Kraft with the Green Bay Packers, Kyle Pitts with the Atlanta Falcons, and T.J. Hockenson with the Minnesota Vikings make more per year.
The amount Mayer is receiving is interesting, given that all the tight ends ahead of him
are the top tight ends on their respective teams. Conversely, Mayer is behind Bowers on the depth chart when Bowers is healthy. In addition, in the 13 games Mayer played in last season, he only played on 60 percent of the offensive snaps.
Although Mayer isn't the top tight end, he is important in the blocking game, though he took a step back last season. In 2024, he had one of the highest PFF grades in blocking among tight ends. However, in 2025, he was near the bottom in blocking among tight ends.
Overall, this contract seems like a bit of a gamble that Mayer will return to his blocking form in 2024 and step up in the passing game while Bowers is out.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Raiders give TE Michael Mayer contract extension after Bowers' injury
