Raiders Extend TE Mayer to 3-Year, $45M Deal While Filling in for Injured Bowers

The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million extension with $30 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's reporting. The deal, structured at $15 million average annual value, ranks as the fourth-largest at the tight end position and represents the biggest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. Mayer will serve as the Raiders' starting tight end in Week 1 against Miami while Brock Bowers recovers. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim on Tuesday and, per league sources cited by ESPN, is expected to miss a game or two to start the season. During Bowers' five-game absence in 2025 due to a PCL injury and bone bruise, Mayer appeared in four contests and caught 18 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. Mayer finished the 2025 season with career highs of 35 receptions and 328 receiving yards. A 2023 second-round draft pick, Mayer has 32 career starts with 83 career receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns. Per ESPN's reporting, Mayer expressed optimism about the 2026 season last month, citing the return of position coach Luke Steckel for his third year and the arrival of head coach Klint Kubiak and his offensive system. The extension reflects a broader market expansion at tight end. Kraft's deal includes incentives that can push the value to $92 million and features a $26.5 million signing bonus. Kraft averaged 9.1 yards after catch per reception in 2025, the most among tight ends with at least 100 catches over the last 15 seasons, per CBS Sports. George Kittle's next-closest average was 6.9 yards after catch. Kraft tore his ACL after eight games in 2025 while on pace for more than 60 catches, 1,000 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He joined Rob Gronkowski and Mark Andrews as only the third tight end this century to tally 100 catches, 1,500 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns over his first three NFL seasons. Atlanta's Kyle Pitts received an earlier offseason deal that set a position record for guaranteed money at $36 million, per CBS Sports. Despite these recent major contracts for Kraft, Mayer, and Pitts, no tight end has reached a $20 million average annual salary. Bowers and Detroit's Sam LaPorta are next in line for major deals at the position.