Raiders make fascinating $45M Michael Mayer decision amid Brock Bowers injury image
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2026 NFL season with some questions in the passing game, with Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor as the team's top receivers, but with plenty of question marks after them.
That's especially the case at tight end, as Brock Bowers had unexpected surgery before the season on his meniscus, and there's now some real concern about his health going forward. It's not a season-ending issue, but it's going to keep him out a week or two.
Things only got more interesting when, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders and backup tight end Michael Mayer agreed to a three-year, $45 million extension that makes him a top-five paid TE in the NFL.
Raiders make fascinating Michael Mayer extension decision amid Brock Bowers' injury
"The Raiders have agreed to terms on a 3-year extension with TE Michael Mayer worth $45M with $30M guaranteed," Rapoport reports. "The $15M APY ranks 4th among current TE contracts."
Mayer's $45 million three-year deal is not a small contract. The Raiders wouldn't pay him this much if the plan wasn't for Mayer to be a key part of the team moving forward.
Normally, this wouldn't seem that odd. Mayer has flashed potential and has had his fair share of bright moments with the Raiders the last few years.
But since Bowers is the team's No. 1 tight end, this major extension for Mayer is incredibly interesting. $45 million over three years is not a small amount of money. It's the seventh-most total money among tight ends, and the fourth-most on a per-year basis.
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The Raiders aren't giving Mayer this contract to simply be a backup. This is essentially top-five tight-end money. Mayer is going to play, and play a lot this upcoming season.
Paying Mayer this much money is a major commitment that warrants fans paying close attention not only to Mayer, but to Bowers as well.
After Bowers' knee surgery and this new Mayer extension that pays him like a top tight end in the NFL, it's hard not to have some lingering concerns about Bowers going forward.
Hopefully, the Raiders just want to have two good tight ends on the team for years to come. Mayer is a solid backup to Bowers and can be a good starter when needed. Still, $45 million over three years is a lot for a TE, which makes this deal very fascinating.
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