From California Post · · 3m
Michael Mayer bet on the Raiders
He could have hit free agency as a No. 1 tight end. He signed an extension to stay behind Brock Bowers instead.
In brief
He could have hit free agency as a No. 1 tight end. He signed an extension to stay behind Brock Bowers instead. Mayer picked the team that stood by him in his worst moments, and a coach with an actual plan for him, over a bigger role somewhere else. Originally reported by California Post.
He could have waited
Play out the season, hit free agency in March, find out what another team would pay him to be its featured tight end. That was the understandable move.
“Michael Mayer could have waited.”
He stayed anyway
Mayer signed a three-year extension with the Raiders instead, days before a season-opening win over the Dolphins that gave the franchise something to point at.
The money, and the rest
The deal guarantees him $30 million and could reach $45 million. His reasons for signing run past both numbers.
What he has lived through
Losing seasons, a revolving door of regimes, coaches who saw his ability but never worked out how to use it. He wants to see what is on the other side of that.
“It's been some rough years.”
They stood by him first
The Raiders supported Mayer through his time away in 2024 to handle personal issues, with the understanding reaching owner Mark Davis. That stays with a person.
“This is the team that drafted me, this is home.”
Sunday, in his hands
Mayer tied Ashton Jeanty for the team lead with six catches, including a 14-yarder for a first down, and helped clear the way for 130 rushing yards.
And the offense's ceiling
His 32 receiving yards showed the limits. At 38, Kirk Cousins lacks the arm he had, so expect short throws and receivers asked to do the rest.
Mendoza is coming
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, should widen the playbook eventually. The Raiders do not have to wait for him to start looking like a real team.
Kubiak's plan for him
Klint Kubiak's offense pulled Mayer in, and so did the belief the Raiders showed with real money. John Spytek paid a second tight end like he is more than that.
“There is a difference between telling a player he matters and paying him accordingly.”
A quarterback's safe hands
With Bowers out after a knee procedure, Mayer gave Cousins someone dependable in a brand-new system. Reliability matters most when everything else is new.
“He's just a player we can really rely on and trust. He is a great route runner.”
The trade-off he accepted
The former Notre Dame star gave up a clearer path to being someone's No. 1. He sees enough room to grow in an offense where Bowers stays the centerpiece.
“This is where I want to be.”
Two tight ends, not one
Bowers back means more options for Kubiak and a teammate who draws defensive attention. Their chances do not have to come at each other's expense.
“The best version of this offense includes both of them.”
The big picture
Mayer picked the team that stood by him in his worst moments, and a coach with an actual plan for him, over a bigger role somewhere else.
