The Las Vegas Raiders may soon be making a major roster change, as reports suggest they are likely to part ways with tight end Michael Mayer following the addition of a new undrafted free agent.
Mayer, who had a standout college career at Notre Dame, entered the NFL with high expectations. Throughout his three years with the Fighting Irish, Mayer set multiple school records and was regarded as the best tight end in Notre Dame’s long history of producing NFL-caliber players. Every starting tight end at Notre Dame since 2005 has been selected in the NFL Draft, with Tyler Eifert being a first-round pick in 2013. Mayer continued that tradition when the Raiders selected him early in the second round, 35th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft.
However, despite his stellar college résumé, Mayer’s transition to the professional level has not gone as planned. After signing a four-year, $9.3 million rookie deal, his first season with the Raiders fell short of expectations. Mayer managed just 27 receptions for 304 yards across 14 games, starting 12 of them. His production was seen as disappointing for a player expected to be a significant contributor.
Signs that Mayer’s future with the team was uncertain grew even stronger during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders used one of their first-round picks to select Brock Bowers, a star tight end from the University of Georgia. Bowers had a remarkable collegiate career, including a standout performance in Georgia’s 65-7 national championship victory over TCU, where he caught seven passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. His rookie NFL season was even more impressive — Bowers earned both Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors, finishing with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
Adding Bowers immediately changed the tight end landscape in Las Vegas. Though Mayer could have remained as a solid second option, the Raiders added another veteran to the mix when they signed Ian Thomas from the Carolina Panthers. Known primarily as a blocking tight end, Thomas’s arrival suggested Mayer would be pushed into a less dynamic, blocking-focused role.
While Mayer may have breathed a sigh of relief when the Raiders did not draft another tight end during the rest of the 2025 draft, that relief was short-lived. Shortly after the draft concluded, the team announced the signing of Carter Runyon, a tight end from Towson, as part of a group of 20 undrafted free agents.
Though Runyon is considered a developmental player, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein noted that he has pro-level speed and impressive athleticism, though he still needs to improve his route running and blocking consistency. With Thomas providing veteran experience and Bowers as the clear offensive star, the Raiders might prefer to invest in Runyon’s potential rather than continue paying Mayer’s $9.3 million contract.
As for Mayer, his future in Las Vegas remains unclear. According to reports from Pro Football Focus, he has been mentioned in trade discussions. At just 23 years old, Mayer could still be an attractive option for teams in need of tight end help, especially if the Raiders are motivated to move on from him.
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