Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is headed into a make-or-break year.
Three seasons after arriving from Notre Dame as a highly regarded prospect, Mayer still hasn’t fully become the player the Raiders envisioned. But he has stayed productive, even while dealing with circumstances that slowed his progress along the way.
So far in his NFL career, Mayer has caught 83 passes for 788 yards and three touchdowns. His best season came in 2025, when he set personal highs with 35 receptions and 328 receiving yards.
Now he’s playing on the last year of his rookie deal, and the pressure is obvious: Mayer has to show he can be part of the Raiders’ future. Brock Bowers has already emerged as the team’s star at tight end, but Mayer can still fit next to him and give Las Vegas a useful two-tight-end setup.
Mayer came into the league with a reputation as a polished receiving tight end who could also handle his work as a blocker. He flashed that early as a rookie, but a personal matter cut into his 2024 season and kept him from building on that momentum.
His 2025 production was his best yet, but the Raiders still managed only three wins. That kind of season can leave a front office feeling like no one is truly untouchable, especially one that didn’t even draft Mayer - he was selected by a previous regime, two general managers ago.
Las Vegas’ 2023 draft class has produced mixed results. Mayer and Tre Tucker have become useful pieces, while Aidan O’Connell is not viewed as the team’s long-term answer at quarterback.
That puts Mayer in a tough spot. Another strong year could be enough to land him a long-term contract. If he falls short, the Raiders could decide they’re better off moving on and finding another tight end to pair with Bowers.
Around the league, teams are investing more in multiple-tight-end looks as offenses lean into heavier personnel packages. The Raiders have been using that style for years, and if Mayer delivers again, they’d likely prefer to keep him and Bowers together.
If Las Vegas doesn’t extend him, Mayer should still have a market elsewhere. Another team would gladly add him for 12 or even 13 personnel and see whether he can keep growing into the player many expected him to be.
He’s gotten off to a strong start in training camp, and both Mayer and the Raiders are hoping it carries into the regular season. At this point, there may not be anyone on the roster with more riding on the year ahead.
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