Raiders Continue to Misunderstand Value With Michael Mayer Extension

The Raiders gave Michael Mayer an extension on Saturday, making him the fifth highest-paid tight end in the NFL. But Mayer is the Raiders’ backup tight end. 

Mayer signed a new three-year deal worth $45 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport. By average per year value, Mayer is now top five in tight end pay. His $30 million in guaranteed money also puts him among the top 10 of tight ends. 

The Raiders decided to spend big on their second-best tight end. 

Despite being a backup, Mayer will play quite a bit. With starter Brock Bowers out to begin the season, Mayer will assume number one tight end duties. Even with Bowers back, Mayer will see the field plenty, as Las Vegas will use two tight end sets. 

Last season with Klint Kubiak calling plays, the Seahawks were top 10 in the NFL in 12 personnel usage (one running back, two tight ends) and 22 personnel usage (two running backs, two tight ends). The Raiders’ new head coach loves to use multiple tight ends. Mayer will be deployed frequently. 

Kubiak isn’t the only coach using multiple tight ends. Last season the use of 12 personnel climbed to 22.3 percent of all offensive snaps across the NFL. The league is turning to more and more tight ends. 

Having multiple good tight ends on the field allows offenses to run the ball more effectively with an extra blocker, but it can also create mismatches in the passing game if the tight ends can provide value as a receiver. 

Tight End Pay

But part of the reason tight ends create value is because they are cheap. 

No tight end has a contract worth $20 million per year. Every other offensive or defensive position (except fullback) has a player surpassing that $20 million mark. Teams don’t invest at tight end, especially at the backup spot. 

Consider last year, when the Seahawks offense exploded with Kubiak using plenty of two tight end sets. Seattle didn’t have a single tight end making $2 million. Getting mismatches and production from tight ends is valuable because those players are rarely making a lot of money. It allows teams to pay other positions more money. The Raiders are taking the opposite approach.

Bowers will be eligible for a contract extension after this season. Assuming he returns from his knee injury and plays like his previous self, he will be in line for a massive new deal. Bowers will likely become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, pushing to $25 million per season. 

If the Raiders gave Bowers that type of deal, they would be committing $40 million to one of the cheapest positions in the NFL. 

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