Analyst gives opinion on young Raider that conflicts with coaching staff

During the offseason, rumors swirled around the possibility of the Las Vegas Raiders moving on from tight end Michael Mayer.

Despite the buzz coming from Mayer during the 2023 Draft, he has never fully lived up to expectations after being drafted by the Raiders in the second round. The emergence of Brock Bowers last season all but knocked Mayer down the depth chart, and analysts decided that Mayer might have to leave to realize his potential. However, for a number of reasons, Mayer remains on the Raiders roster, with the coaching staff suggesting that they have a plan in place for him.

Regardless, some analysts have continued to push the idea that trading Mayer is the best-case scenario for both team and player.

Is Mayer a lock to still be on the Raiders when Week 1 rolls around?

According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, no trade candidate on any team makes as much sense as Mayer exiting the Raiders.

“When the Raiders drafted Mayer in 2023, the former Notre Dame star was regarded by many as the No. 1 tight end in his class. In each of his last two collegiate seasons, Mayer topped 70 catches and 800 receiving yards,” Davenport wrote.

“However, the former second-round pick was quiet as a rookie, and then Brock Bowers’ arrival in Sin City well and truly silenced Mayer’s production.”

While Mayer feels like he is on the outs with the Raiders, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly recently spoke during OTAs to suggest that that was far from the truth.

“I think Mike’s been fantastic since I’ve been here. We didn’t make any decisions on anything until you see him here, and Mike’s been fantastic since day one of the offseason program,” Kelly said about the third-year tight end.

“There’s never a position anywhere where coaches say, ‘We have too many good players.’ I checked: You can play two tight ends in a game at the same time. And sometimes you can play three tight ends.”

Granted, no coach will ever say they are hoping to move on from a player, and Davenport’s idea could still very well end up coming to fruition. However, with the lack of depth behind Bowers at tight end and the wide receiver room lacking proven options behind Jakobi Meyers, keeping Mayer around is more useful for the time being. If the Raiders can operate two-tight end sets effectively and Mayer starts producing more, the team could end up being able to sell him at a higher price next offseason.

Expect Mayer to stick around in Las Vegas for the upcoming season, but he will have to prove himself to a regime that has no ties to him.