Michael Mayer renews with the Raiders: How much will he earn under his new contract?
The Raiders made an important decision on one of their young players just as his future was beginning to become uncertain.
When the Raiders selected Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft , they were not taking a chance on just any player. The tight end came out of Notre Dame and entered the NFL with expectations of becoming an important piece of the offense.
His first few years have included some strong moments, but they have also made one thing clear: Mayer still has room to grow .
He has recorded 83 receptions in his career , while his best season so far came in 2025, when he finished with 35 receptions . Those numbers do not tell his entire story, but they do help explain why the Raiders' latest decision is so interesting.
What was going to happen to Michael Mayer after 2026?
Mayer was entering the final year of his rookie contract. After being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed a four-year deal, making 2026 the final year of his contract with the Raiders .
For a young player who still has room to develop, reaching the open market could have opened plenty of doors , with different teams potentially interested in giving him a fresh opportunity in the NFL.
Las Vegas decided to close that door first .
The team agreed to an extension that completely changes Mayer's outlook and, more importantly, makes it clear the Raiders did not want to wait until next year to decide what role he would have in their future.
So, how much will Mayer make?
The answer comes down to a figure that shows just how big the commitment is: $45 million over three years .
On top of that, $30 million is guaranteed, meaning Mayer not only secured his future in Las Vegas . He also received a significant financial commitment from the organization.
Based on the available context, the deal becomes the largest three-year contract ever given to an NF L tight end and puts Mayer among the highest-paid players at the position.
But there is something even more intriguing about the move.
The Raiders are not building their future around just one tight end.
The Raiders want Mayer alongside Brock Bowers
The other name that changes this story is Brock Bowers.
Bowers arrived in Las Vegas as one of the team's biggest offensive pieces , and when the time comes to negotiate his own extension, he appears to be in position to pursue one of the most significant contracts ever for a tight end.
That is why Mayer's extension says so much about what the Raiders envision.
The idea does not appear to be choosing between Mayer and Bowers. The new deal suggests Las Vegas wants to keep both players and find a way to maximize them within the same offense .
That is also where Klint Kubiak comes in, as his system can frequently use two-tight-end formations to support the running game while creating options through the air.
And with Bowers sidelined by a knee injury, Mayer will have even more responsibility at the start of the season.
