Michael Mayer, Raiders Agree to Contract Extension, Full Details, Updated NFL Salary Cap

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.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Michael Mayer has agreed to a three-year, $45 million extension with the Raiders that includes $30 million in guaranteed money.

The Raiders entered Saturday with just $10.9 million in cap space available.

Mayer was entering the final season of his rookie contract prior to the extension. His $15 million average annual salary on the new deal will rank sixth among all tight ends after Tucker Kraft's extension with the Green Bay Packers gets factored in.

Even though the Raiders have Brock Bowers as their go-to receiving option, Mayer has continued to be a featured player in the offense. He has started 32 of the 38 games he played over the past three seasons.

Injuries have hindered Mayer at this times, as he has missed at least three games in each of his first three years. He set career-highs in 2025 with 50 targets, 35 receptions and 328 receiving yards.

With Bowers set to miss at least one game after undergoing a meniscus trim, Mayer figures to play a big role in the offense for first-year head coach Klint Kubiak in Sunday's opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Kubiak's system also utilizes two tight-end sets frequently. When he was offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks last season, they used 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) at the eighth-highest rate in the NFL (29.9 percent).

The Seahawks ranked first in EPA per pass (0.33) out of 12 personnel packages.

Mayer is also regarded as an excellent blocker who will help with Kubiak's zone running scheme.

For a Raiders team that doesn't have a true No. 1 wide receiver right now, the combination of Mayer and a healthy Bowers will get a lot of attention in the passing game from Kirk Cousins and, eventually, Fernando Mendoza.