After spending the last two campaigns with the team, the Las Vegas Raiders will more than likely trade tight end Michael Mayer before the 2025 regular season. According to a report, to no one’s surprise, the tight end is the most obvious trade candidate this offseason, so it’s only a matter of time before the Raiders send him to a new team. Originally selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Notre Dame product hasn’t been able to shed much success in this offense, and while he did show some promise in his rookie season, the Raiders will likely move on from Mayer. The team got Brock Bowers during the 2024 NFL Draft and has been explosive in his first season as a Raider, and that doesn’t give much room for the tight end to improve his play.
While the team could use all the help in their passing offense, the Raiders might trade Mayer either way to net some draft capital. Even though Mayer was regarded as the No. 1 tight end coming out of Notre Dame, it doesn’t look like he will produce much of anything in Las Vegas. It’s hard to imagine the Raiders will trade an athlete who’s only two more years in his current rookie deal, but it’s not impossible. Mayer won’t attract many suitors if he becomes available on the trade block, but these two teams could pursue him.
Hunter Renfrow NFL Return
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates with wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) after a play in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs, Chargers Could Target Raiders Trade Candidate Michael Mayer
Afterlife of Travis Kelce
While the Kansas City Chiefs could use another wide receiver to help quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they need to build the future of their tight end unit. Travis Kelce is coming off one of his worst seasons last year, and it didn’t end well in a blowout fashion against the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Kelce is looking for vengeance, but he won’t last for more than a year, so they need to start planning for the future. Mahomes does well bringing out the best in a target, and even though Mayer hasn’t found his footing yet, he could change things around in his career with one of the most complete teams in the league.
Noah Gray has some potential, but nothing on the level of Kelce. This isn’t to say that the next man should be on the same level as Kelce, but he should show plenty of bright spots so that the Chiefs are in good hands. Mayer has the size and hands to become like Kelce 2.0, but it’ll be interesting to see what the team does before the 2025 regular season.
Helping Justin Herbert
However, the Los Angeles Chargers are lacking legitimate star power in their offensive unit. Quarterback Justin Herbert is still one of the best, but the team always lacks putting themselves in the best position at the right moments. 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey is still arguably the best pass-catcher on this roster despite signing veteran Mike Williams and drafting Tre Harris. While they did sign Tyler Conklin to bolster the tight end unit behind Will Dissly, they could use more in that department.
Herbert knows how to utilize the tight end position most of the time, and Mayer could even be a reliable pass-blocker, too.