Add The New York Post on Google The Raiders signed a tight end to a lucrative contract extension Saturday, but it was not injured Pro Bowler Brock Bowers.
Instead, Las Vegas inked backup Michael Mayer to a three-year extension worth $45 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, making him the fifth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
Bowers, who will not play in Sunday’s season opener against the Dolphins after undergoing meniscus surgery in his left knee earlier this week, had 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season after setting an NFL rookie record in 2024 with 112 receptions.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer breaks away from the Arizona Cardinals defense to score a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher Mayer’s numbers aren’t as eye-popping, with the 2023 second-round selection registering three-year highs of 35 receptions and 328 yards with one touchdown in 13 appearances with the Raiders last season.
Bowers, the 13th overall pick out of Notre Dame in 2024, has two years remaining on his four-year, $18.1 million rookie deal.
Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders waves to fans after warming up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft also signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension Saturday worth up to $92 million.
Mayer’s average annual value of $15 million ranks him behind only San Francisco’s George Kittle ($19.1 million), Arizona’s Trey McBride ($19 million), Kraft ($18.75 million) and Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts ($17.7 million) among NFL tight ends, according to Over the Cap.
