The Las Vegas Raiders are willing to trade tight end Michael Mayer, according to multiple reports. It was a previous regime that drafted Mayer with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The following year, new decision-makers drafted Brock Bowers with a premium first-round pick.
Spending consecutive top-35 selections on a non-premium position like tight end isn't an ideal roster-building method. Bowers immediately arrived and lessened Mayer's impact by enjoying a record-breaking season. Mayer will never be Las Vegas' No. 1 tight end.
New general manager John Spytek would probably accept draft capital in exchange for Mayer. Mayer deserves a change of scenery. We've identified three potential landing spots via trade.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals decided to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins. That extends their deadline to July to work out a long-term extension. With Higgins well-positioned to sign a very lucrative contract, the Bengals' ability to attract outside free agents is going to be incredibly limited.
Veteran tight end Mike Gesicki is slated for free agency. Gesicki enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Bengals, his best since 2021. He's expected to have a market, and re-signing him could prove difficult given the pay increase he's expecting. Mayer remains on a team-friendly rookie deal through 2026. Acquiring Mayer via trade would offer the Bengals two years of a starting-caliber replacement at an affordable cost.
New England Patriots
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is attempting to build a competitive roster. The Patriots are equipped with a league-leading $127 million in cap space. Vrabel has strongly indicated the Patriots are going to be aggressive with their resources.
This offseason is all about surrounding franchise quarterback Drake Maye with more pass-catching talent. Veteran tight end Austin Hooper played last season on an expiring contract. Hooper finished third in receptions and fourth in receiving yards for the offense last season. He'll turn 31 during the 2025 campaign, and the Patriots should get younger at the position next to Hunter Henry. Vrabel is a big fan of two-tight-end sets.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are expected to make a decision on Noah Fant's future this week. The Seahawks are technically still $7 million above the cap. Fant is one of various potential salary cap casualties, next to Tyler Lockett and Uchenna Nwosu.
New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is building an offense around starting quarterback Geno Smith, who is expected to sign a short-term extension with the team this offseason. If Fant is released from his contract, Kubiak will want an experienced tight end to take his place. The only other notable player at the position under contract is sophomore AJ Barner, who isn't ready for a starring role.
Furthermore, Mayer can play in-line, and the Seahawks are attempting to improve a rushing attack that finished 28th last season. The relationship between the new Raiders' head coach, Pete Carroll, and the Seahawks could be a conversation starter.