The Las Vegas Raiders community of fans and followers seems to be split on what to do with tight end Michael Mayer.
Doubts persist about his future with Las Vegas. The Raiders drafted him in the second round, 35th overall in the 2023 NFL draft out of Notre Dame, but followed that up by selecting generational tight end talent Brock Bowers in the first round, 13th overall out of Georgia in 2024.
In 2024, Bowers established himself as the clear No. 1 guy at tight end for the Raiders. With 1,194 yards and 5 touchdowns, he made his case not only for the best tight end on the Raiders, but the best tight end in football.
He certainly was last season after earning an All-Pro selection.
So where does that leave Mayer? He was a star coming out of South Bend just three short years ago. Should the Raiders trade him?
Well, if the coverage coming out of 2025 Raiders Minicamp is any indication, Mayer is firmly in the team’s plans as of right now.
Mayer Turned Heads at 2024 Minicamp
Levi Edwards, who writes for Raiders.com, released an article on Wednesday June 18, 2025 where he answered some of Las Vegas fans’ biggest lingering questions about minicamp.
One question that Edwards received was “Who quietly had an amazing camp?”
He cited free agent signing S Jeremy Chinn as the standout on defense. But on offense, he picked Michael Mayer.
“Going into his third season, [Mayer] looks confident on the field and is working to create a healthy chemistry with Smith in the intermediate passing game,” Edwards said. “Mayer caught a few touchdowns throughout camp, showcasing his ability to be a solid red zone option…Chip Kelly has given Mayer more than enough opportunities to shine in 12 personnel formations and even some 3 TE packages with Bowers, Mayer and Ian Thomas.”
Edwards also cited a quote from Kelly, the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, who seemed adamant that Mayer is securely in the plans for the Raiders offense in 2025.
“I think Mike’s been outstanding,” Kelly said, “And I checked, you can play with two tight ends in a game at the same time, and sometimes you can play with three tight ends they told me. So, maybe we can get to that if we have to.”
Can Mayer Overcome Early Career Struggles?
Michael Mayer has yet to produce in the NFL on the same level that he did in college.
At Notre Dame, Mayer became the all-time receptions leader for the Fighting Irish at Tight End with 140. He also received the distinct honor of becoming a consensus All-American for Notre Dame during his senior season in 2022.
The best to ever do it
Thank you, Michael.
But so far in his two-year NFL career, Mayer only has 48 receptions for 460 yards and two touchdowns.
He has yet to play a full season: he played only 14 games in 2023 and was limited to 11 in 2024.
He missed the six games in 2024 due to an undisclosed personal issue.
In a full healthy season, with the best quarterback and offensive coordinator he’s had in his young career, Mayer should see an uptick in his production regardless.
But if everyone’s analysis of Mayer’s performance during minicamp is any indication, he is set for an even bigger 2025 season than anyone expected.
