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Raiders Sign Michael Mayer to $45 Million Extension

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 10:17 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million extension.
The deal guarantees $30 million and carries a $15 million average annual value, the fourth-highest for tight ends.
Mayer will start Week 1 while teammate Brock Bowers recovers from a left meniscus repair.
In 2025 he posted 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.

History

Historical Context

After Rob Gronkowski secured a six-year, $54 million contract in June 2012—the largest ever for a tight end—the Patriots renewed his deal in 2015. The Las Vegas Raiders later granted Michael Mayer a three-year, $45 million extension, and the deals illustrate the NFL’s shift toward paying premium salaries for pass-catching tight ends, reflecting teams’ willingness to allocate larger cap space to the position.

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Story summary

The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million extension.
The deal guarantees $30 million and carries a $15 million average annual value, the fourth-highest for tight ends.
Mayer will start Week 1 while teammate Brock Bowers recovers from a left meniscus repair.
In 2025 he posted 35 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.

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