Michael Mayer could have waited. Played out the season. Reached free agency next March. Found out how much another team would pay him to become its featured tight end. There would have been something understandable about that decision.

The Las Vegas Raiders are going to start Michael Mayer in Week 1 as Brock Bowers is recovering from meniscus trim surgery . Leading up to the first game of the season, it appears Mayer is cashing in a payday after agreeing to a new deal.

The day after signing a big three-year extension with the Raiders, Michael Mayer went out and proved to them and everyone else why he was worthy.

The Raiders are locking in tight end Michael Mayer.

The Las Vegas Raiders have locked up their second tight end.

The Las Vegas Raiders were hit with a major blow with the injury to Brock Bowers, meaning there's a role shift for Michael Mayer.

Things only got more interesting when, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders and backup tight end Michael Mayer agreed to a three-year, $45 million extension that makes him a top-five paid TE in the NFL.

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Las Vegas opened the Klint Kubiak era with a convincing win over Miami, offering Tom Brady and Raider Nation plenty of reasons to believe this team can finally turn the page