Ian Thomas
Getty
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Ian Thomas #80 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed tight end Ian Thomas to a one-year deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was the first to report.
“Free agent tight end Ian Thomas is re-signing with the Raiders on a one-year deal, per source. Thomas spent his first seven seasons with Carolina before joining Las Vegas in 2025.”
Thomas, 29, is a former 2018 fourth-round pick who appeared in 15 games for the Raiders last season after playing seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He had 13 catches for 114 yards.
Jeremy Fowler
Free agent tight end Ian Thomas is re-signing with the Raiders on a one-year deal, per source.
Thomas spent his first seven seasons with Carolina before joining Las Vegas in 2025.
Raiders Sign TE Ian Thomas to One-Year Deal
Just because the Raiders signed Thomas, doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed a roster spot.
He’s behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer on the depth chart, and will have to compete with Carter Runyon and Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., who are already on the roster.
Not only that, the Raiders could look to draft a tight end during the 2026 NFL Draft, having already met virtually with Ole Miss TE Dae’Quan Wright.
The signing of Thomas will primarily be for special teams, if he makes the roster.
Kirk Cousins Shares Major Praise for Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers
GettyBrock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kirk Cousins, who’s projected to start the season at quarterback for the Raiders, shared some of his initial thoughts on teaming up with Bowers.
“I think he may be the best tight end in football,” Cousins said. “Hopefully, we can make that a reality this fall, but we’ve got to keep him healthy, just like some of the other great players on this team.”
Cousins also added what makes Bowers special and how he’s excited to have him on his side this upcoming season.
“He gives us the ability to use a lot of different personnel groupings, which can allow us to be very creative with how we attack defenses. I’ve always really enjoyed playing with talented tight ends because of the curveball they throw at defenses. I expect Brock to be as good of a curveball as I’ve ever played with, and I can’t wait to see how we can use him. Getting on the grass with him and even running routes in the air is going to be exciting to watch a guy like that go to work.”
Cousins Expects Big Things from Tyler Linderbaum
Tyler Linderbaum
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 12: Center Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Raiders have another major new piece on offense: center Tyler Linderbaum, and Cousins has major expectations and praise for Linderbaum.
“Tyler at center is going to be a great fit. I think he’s a stud pass blocker, run blocker, I think he’s going to fit great in the [outside zone] scheme. So, I can’t wait to start taking snaps from him and kind of build it right there up the middle with Tyler and Ashton [Jeanty].”
But with that high praise, Cousins is also planning to ask Linderbaum to take on more than what a center typically handles.
“I think it’s rare to get a center of that caliber available in the free agent market. So, typically, you’re not going to find a guy that easily and so when you do, you want to take advantage. I just think his play strength, his athleticism, his toughness. He’s got a lot of years of tape showing that. …I plan to put a lot on him. I always told my centers, ‘The more you can handle and the more I can be thinking about the back end, the better.’ So we’ll try to start building that rapport early, and I think it’ll lead to some strong play.”
Look for the Raiders to make some noise on offense this upcoming season.