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Maybe they thought his value might go beyond what the contract is worth. Especially if Bowers happens to stay injured. Hes a great blocker and a decent receiver who I think will be used more and get better. It's debatable at this point the exact right #, but I think it could be at least worth it. Maybe not. I'm not that bothered by it and dont think it was a huge mistaken overpay. That could change and I don't feel compelled to argue that strongly for it either. Hes a good player and Im glad we have him awhile. The contract will look a lot smaller as time goes on too.

He was wide open on Kirk’s first pick with room to run..not sure why they went away from him after the 1st drive.

ALLRAIDERWORLD21 wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2026 6:16 am He was wide open on Kirk’s first pick with room to run..not sure why they went away from him after the 1st drive.

its all on the qb's eyes and if they actually see the wide open reciever or not...this is why i think herbert sucks, dude routinely misses wide open targets during the cardinals game i saw quinton johnson wide open for a td on a crosser and he dumps it off to lass for short yds instead of a td

ALLRAIDERWORLD21 wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2026 6:16 am He was wide open on Kirk’s first pick with room to run..not sure why they went away from him after the 1st drive.

Yeah, I saw that too. Terrible miss by Kirk there. Mayer was in the flat pretty much IIRC. On the replay, it looked even worse.

powski wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2026 6:00 am Maybe they thought his value might go beyond what the contract is worth. Especially if Bowers happens to stay injured. Hes a great blocker and a decent receiver who I think will be used more and get better. It's debatable at this point the exact right #, but I think it could be at least worth it. Maybe not. I'm not that bothered by it and dont think it was a huge mistaken overpay. That could change and I don't feel compelled to argue that strongly for it either. Hes a good player and Im glad we have him awhile. The contract will look a lot smaller as time goes on too.

Yes, I get that. I understand that the team sees him playing up to the contract &, that the best football is ahead of him.

The issue I have with it is, it was hands down bad negotiating. I don’t see how any team would have given that contract to this point. I see it like this, up till now, he’s missed significant time each of his first years with his mental issues &, injuries. His first year, he didn’t even look like a good blocker, nor receiver. Second year maybe a slight improvement on both ends (not much), when even on the field. Last year, another slight improvement but, that’s from below avg. In the first 3 seasons a lot of missed time, & mostly below avg to avg at best play. With probably a handful of plays flashing above avg talent…in 3 seasons.

So the starting point with the above type of play is 2-3mil. That’s taking into account his draft position. Now you throw in that the team likes you, you’re working hard, they see your talent/production increasing (by a good margin) going forward. Ok, throw in 5mil more. That’s a huge increase for being unproven &, hope/faith. You’re supposed split the difference in this situation. Player has only done X so far, player believes he’s worth X, you negotiate towards the middle. They paid him the full amount of what his ceiling is, without him ever showing that prior. That’s my issue.

Again tho, I like Mayer. Likely less than some on here but, he can be a solid/good player. I believe he will be if stays on the field. I’m just criticizing the contract. The front office is supposed to put your team in the best position going forward. Part of that is salary cap. Get as many bargain contracts as possible. Cutting 7mil here, 3mil there, 4mil there, etc. It all adds up.

Anyway, here’s to Mayer playing up to that contract now. Hopefully he exceeds it.

I think people are looking at this the wrong way. Its clear after seeing him throughout the offseason that kubiak considered him a vital component of the offense and wanted him locked up.

Is it an overpay? Yes but again it seems clear kubiak told spy to absolutely get this done.

Also look at the contract structure. Because it was worked within his current deal he has very little dead money after 2027, so if it doesnt work out you move on then

DanKD wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2026 10:13 am I think people are looking at this the wrong way. Its clear after seeing him throughout the offseason that kubiak considered him a vital component of the offense and wanted him locked up.

Is it an overpay? Yes but again it seems clear kubiak told spy to absolutely get this done.

Also look at the contract structure. Because it was worked within his current deal he has very little dead money after 2027, so if it doesnt work out you move on then

I went over this multiple times in my mind. I am not convinced anyone told Spytek to "get this done" but rather that it was a collaboration. Certainly, Kubiak's system is centered around packages of multiple TEs but Spytek would know this so if the deal got done it was not on anyone's orders but rather it would be in scheming to get the best possible roster out there...both guys working together.

But, Spytek is the GM and the GM should have final say on the roster working with Kubiak, not the other way around. It is when things are upside down that there is a problem. We saw that with Gruden and almost assuredly with Carroll.

Looks like the team had a plan for Mayer. He got a lot of money, but he's already surpassed his yardage from any of his first three full seasons.

chucker wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2026 5:23 am Looks like the team had a plan for Mayer. He got a lot of money, but he's already surpassed his yardage from any of his first three full seasons.

....I had a hard time understanding why many wanted to trade him away from a later pick when we had a chance to have that kind to 2 tight end threat.

chucker wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2026 5:23 am Looks like the team had a plan for Mayer. He got a lot of money, but he's already surpassed his yardage from any of his first three full seasons.

After watching the USC game, now I'm thinking of a 3-headed TE attack someday!

Bowers has the size/leverage, because if you watch him the whole "speed thing" goes right out the window. He runs his route, nice route sure, but he's not even going full speed, he's running the route and looking for space to adjust in. So why doesn't this work with other large WR's?

I think when we dream speed we fantasize so fast they can't stay with them (rarely the case) and Brock's out there running routes at a 5 second 40 clip finding soft spots and leveraging his way to another catch.

PFF has him 10th. He has been misused by prior coaches and of course his mental health period was a factor as well.

SkullCrusher wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2026 9:15 am After watching the USC game, now I'm thinking of a 3-headed TE attack someday!

Bowers has the size/leverage, because if you watch him the whole "speed thing" goes right out the window. He runs his route, nice route sure, but he's not even going full speed, he's running the route and looking for space to adjust in. So why doesn't this work with other large WR's?

I think when we dream speed we fantasize so fast they can't stay with them (rarely the case) and Brock's out there running routes at a 5 second 40 clip finding soft spots and leveraging his way to another catch.

If he gets position in front of the db on the shorter to mid-range stuff the guy is pretty much cooked, and he doesn't need great speed to do that. Just an outstanding pass catcher with a physical advantage over those who are trying to stop him.

TE university! Mayer is awesome.

Extending Mayer is one of the best moves the Raiders have made in the last 20 years, and we don't make many so it's good to see him stay on our team!!