Michael Mayer has not lived up to expectations early in his NFL career. The Raiders tight end was a trade target this earlier this offseason, but with no deal taking place he is set to remain in Vegas. 
During his rookie season, Mayer missed three contests and was limited to a total of just 27 receptions. Last April, the Raiders replaced him in the starting lineup with Brock Bowers, a decision which paid immediate dividends. Bowers earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2024 and represents a focal point on offense for many years to come.
While Bowers was breaking multiple records last season, Mayer missed six games due to personal reasons. The latter was limited to just 156 yards and failed to score a touchdown. Despite having two years left on his rookie contract, it thus came as little surprise when the new Raiders regime showed a willingness to trade Mayer. While interest was shown, the former second-rounder stayed in place and received plenty of attention during spring practices. The Raiders could have an expanded workload in mind.
“I thought Mike had a great offseason,’ head coach Pete Carroll said (via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal). “We started out going heart to heart with him to understand what we’re all about. And he embraced it and took it as well as anybody could take the challenge of bringing it day in and day out. He had a great camp.”
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has spoken about his affinity for multi-tight end formations, and relying on those would be key in allowing Mayer to see the field in 2025. Vegas has Jakobi Meyers along with Tre Tucker and rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton in place at the receiver spot. Especially as the younger options at the position develop, though, Bowers and Mayer could be leaned on in the passing game.
The Raiders will have Geno Smith in place under center after reuniting him with Carroll. The team did so while choosing to avoid – among other things – a free agent pursuit of Sam Darnold. Improved play at the quarterback spot could help team’s offense in general and Mayer’s production in particular as he looks to take a step forward in Year 3. A notable workload in tandem with Bowers would certainly go a long way in that regard.
Can players please start wearing cups again. Not a good look with your junk hanging out in literally all photos.
“Not a good look” said the person apparently zooming in
Smart of them to keep him instead of selling him for pennies on the dollar as rumored earlier in the offseason. No reason he and Bowers can’t spend a lot of time on the field together.
Yeah, it feels like a waste to not do so. Mayer has had some personal issues that undoubtedly distracted from his on field presence, but the murky and unsteady offensive situation overall, paired with the near oxymoronic rise of Bowers, relegated Mayer to the sidelines more than a lack of his personal potential did. I wouldn’t suggest that Vegas sacrifice snaps from Bowers in favor of Mayer, but given their lackluster receiving options right now and presumed devotion to the ground game next year, it seems logical that they make this year Mayer’s chance to deliver on his well regarded college valuations.
I won’t go so far as to say that Mayer is a star that’s been held back, but having a phenom like Bowers ahead of you and then having several years of rudderless and shifting schematic plans (plus instability all around the roster, particularly quarterback) means that we CAN definitely say that the Raiders didn’t get all that they could have to this point, either.
It’s not like he has to be a star to be worthwhile. The Niners and Vikings just gave nice contracts to their number two tight ends. Having Mayer around makes it easier to move Bowers around. They lined him up in the slot most of the time last year.
I agree. I was saying that, despite maybe not being a star right now, he’s still worth exploring as an additional weapon and will likely allow the Raiders versatility lineup-wise (not just with Bowers, but with receivers, too).
This story has been publicized so much by the Raiders. It makes me think they’re trying to drum up some kind of trade value especially after he missed a lot of time last season for personal reasons and hasn’t really done anything since being hyped in the draft.
Agreed. There is no reason or path for more touches.
Two tight end formations aren’t a thing?
The Niners and Vikings gave real money to second tight ends this offseason, but people seem convinced that the Raiders can’t use two tight ends, even though they lined up Bowers in the slot half the time.
That’s what I hear every time a team is looking to move a player. In this case, I think it could be done, but I’m not getting the feeling that Mayer is always in the ‘here and now’. But with the right OC, maybe???
He had bottom rung OC and quarterback situations last year. Doesn’t seem like the best situation to evaluate a guy.
Increase from almost nothing, got it. Without a lot of WR options the TE group must pick up the slack.
The thing that jumped out about him is how unathletic he is when he got on the field his rookie year. I don’t know if they can salvage anything with him with his personal issues, but we’ll see.
Ironically, back in the glory days, Al Davis actually seemed to prefer players with personal issues 🙂