Report: Raiders Weren’t Open To Trading TE Michael Mayer Last Deadline

Raiders TE Michael Mayer is entering the final year of his contract and figures to be the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Brock Bowers again. 

Per Jason La Canfora, one rival GM said they asked about Mayer during last year’s deadline, but the Raiders weren’t open to moving him. The rival GM believes minority owner Tom Brady would want 12 personnel already established when they added a QB in the 2026 draft.

“We asked about him,” one rival general manager said. “They weren’t open to it… I think Brady probably knew they were drafting a quarterback high in 2026 and wanted to have 12 personnel [two tight ends, one running back, one receiver] already established.”

Mayer, 25, is a former second-round pick by the Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He was named Third-Team All-ACC in 2020 and Third-Team All-American in 2021. He is the all-time leader in receptions among tight ends at Notre Dame.

He’s entering the last year of a four-year, $9,313,646 rookie contract, including a $3,773,561 signing bonus. 

In 2025, Mayer appeared in 13 games for the Raiders and caught 35 passes for 328 yards and a touchdown.