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.

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.

The Raiders are locking in tight end Michael Mayer.

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

One half of the Las Vegas Raiders' tight end duo has secured a long-term contract extension going into the start of the 2026 NFL season.

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

Michael Mayer caught 6-of-7 targets for 32 yards in the Raiders' Week 1 win over the Dolphins.