Michael Mayer Extended

[JRaider17]

[Opoponax50]

They must like what they see in Mayer.

The simplest explanation is the best one. He's flashed a lot throughout his career and the coaching staff sees why.

It may have nothing to with Bowers or it may. We'll find out.

[heavyD]

A little surprised about the money but clearly Kubiak likes him. Expires before Bowers will get paid so it secures the two TE passing offense for a few seasons.

[pfish57]

Or is this a result of what they perceive of the longevity of Bowers

[Rabidraider]

So when Bowers contract is extended Mikes should be close to ending.

So on paper we have two top tight ends...

Possible two top running-backs if Mike and Jeanty do what we expect...

Just need a #1 wide receiver and another couple top lineman to round out the offense.

Mendoza will have a niffy toolbox.

[mstrbass2000]

looks like 2 te formations this yr and mayer has te1 upside when bowers is out

[Attyla]

He was considered one of the best the year he was drafted. His production is more a reflection of the coaches he has had more than lack of talent. We need two good TEs to run Kubiak's offense and once Bowers is back we will see how much he is improved.

[Viper]

The way price tags have been going up it seems reasonable to extend him and I don’t think it’s a reach if he’s used properly. By end of this season or next we could very well be talking about what a good deal this actually was, much like Maxx.

The other way I look at it is the amount of dead cap we’ve had from bad contracts, I’d rather put it into a young player with a pretty decent ceiling.

[Goodtimes333]

Even in shitty offenses Mike has shown what he can do with some really good games. I'm a fan of the two TE set + good ground game. If you can get a #1 receiver next year you're stylin with this setup

[Dr Death]

Interesting. I really expected him to be traded down the road.

[mranquales]

Insurance for when Bowers most likely leaves.

[DanKD]

Insurance for when Bowers most likely leaves.

Bowers is under team control for 3 more years and that doesn't include a franchise tag year. That had nothing to do with this decision

[Sir Raider Duck, OMS]

We're literally paying top-tier starter money to our TE2. This tells me two things:

1) Spytek and Kubiak really like the guy.

2) They're a lot more worried about Bowers' knee and general health than they're letting on.

And the upside is we no longer have to worry about spending PREMIUM draft capital on another TE next season if Bowers continues to be injury-prone. We've got a guy locked up who's capable of being the starter. And if Bowers turns out just fine after this latest setback, we have the best TE room in the league for the foreseeable future.

[Goodtimes333]

The Raiders have the rights to Bowers this year, next, & the year after with a 5th year option. I would really hate to see him get a new contract until after year 4. You can say it's disrespectful etc but the with a first round pick you really should have that rookie contract in place for 4 years. Ideally he has a healthy year before he gets a new deal also. Take advantage of cap savings, maximize the team ceiling

[Oaktownonly]

Insurance for when Bowers most likely leaves.

Two time John Mackey award winner. Most receptions by a rookie and most receiving yards for a rookie TE with Minshew and O'Connell throwing to him. Kubiak's offense is two TE heavy. Bowers will definitely get extended.

[Hellbound]

Two time John Mackey award winner. Most receptions by a rookie and most receiving yards for a rookie TE with Minshew and O'Connell throwing to him. Kubiak's offense is two TE heavy. Bowers will definitely get extended.

Bowers needs to stay on the field and prove his rookie year wasn't a fluke before he worries about an extension. So far he's proven that he's injury prone and has nagging injuries going back to his college days. The talent is there, is the availability?