Raiders agree to 3-year extension with Michael Mayer

Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Sep 12, 2026

Published in Football

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LAS VEGAS — It’s a big week for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer.

Ahead of being thrust into a bigger role in the absence of star Brock Bowers for the start of the season, Mayer agreed to a lucrative three-year contract extension with the Raiders on Saturday morning.

Sources confirmed the details of the new deal to the Review-Journal.

“It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a journey,” Mayer told the team website. “But we’re very ecstatic to be here for the long run.

“And I’m excited to just start playing football again. I’m excited for Game 1 (Sunday), this season, and to get this show on the road.”

Mayer’s new deal is for $45 million, including $30 million guaranteed. The annual value of the deal will place him fourth among all tight ends in the league when it kicks in next season

The 25-year-old is coming off career highs of 35 catches for 328 yards last season and has developed as one of the league’s best blocking tight ends despite being utilized primarily as a receiver in college at Notre Dame, where he is the school’s all-time receptions leader among tight ends.

The 2023 second-round pick often operates as a second starter in an offense with heavy usage of multiple tight end sets. He will take on more of a featured role in the absence of Bowers, who was ruled out of at least the Raiders’ season opener against the Miami Dolphins after Bowers reportedly underwent a left meniscus repair.

He is one of 13 tight ends in the NFL to record at least 170 snaps in a pass blocking role and 600 snaps in a run blocking role over their first three seasons since TruMedia began tracking the data in 2016.

Mayer, who will get a $9 million signing bonus, has 83 catches for 788 yards and three touchdowns in his first three seasons, starting 32 of the 38 games he has played with the organization.

While he has dealt with injuries each season and took a leave of absence for personal reasons in 2024, Mayer has been a solid presence both on the field and in the locker room. His willingness to adjust his game, especially after the selection of Bowers, has drawn praise from all four of the head coaches he has played for with the organization.

“I love this place,” Mayer said. “I show loyalty to the Raiders, but the Raiders have also shown loyalty to me. I think that’s how the world goes around.

“There have been some ups and downs, but I’m very excited with how things have gone through camp and in the preseason. I’m just very excited to be a Raider."