Looking for the epitome of bittersweet? Look no further than the locker housing a pensive Michael Mayer, deep in the bowels of Allegiant Stadium late Sunday afternoon.
On one hand, the Raiders’ third-year tight end authored a signature performance hauling in a career-high nine receptions for a career-best 89 yards as he stepped into an expanded role with All-Pro Brock Bowers placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
On the other, Mayer’s breakout came in the midst of another lopsided defeat, a 34–10 loss to the New York Giants that marked the Raiders’ 10th straight loss, dropped them to 2–14, and kept them firmly in line for the No. 1 overall pick with one game remaining.
For players, though, draft slots are meaningless. Wins are everything. And that’s what made Sunday feel so conflicting for Mayer individual affirmation wrapped inside collective failure.
“It’s tough, man,” Mayer said. “No matter how many catches, receiving yards, whatever, you just want to win. You know that maybe, sometimes, being able to catch the ball and really move the ball down the field like I was able to do a little bit today can help the team win.
“And yet, you’re not really anywhere close. You’re not anywhere close. So it’s a tough, tough pill to swallow.”
That frustration underscored the moment. Mayer didn’t look like a player celebrating a career day he looked like a competitor stuck inside a lost season. And yet, his talent has never been in question.
A Reminder of Why Mayer Was Drafted
There’s a reason the Las Vegas Raiders selected Mayer with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the best tight end in college football the previous fall at University of Notre Dame.
The only reason it took until now for Mayer to reemerge as a featured pass-catcher? The arrival of Bowers, who exploded onto the scene as a rookie and earned first-team All-Pro honors last season.
Sunday, with Bowers sidelined, belonged to Mayer. “Mike had the chance to be featured today, and he totally came through,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “He was physical, he was creative, made all the catches. I just thought that was a beautiful game for Mike.”
Respect From Teammates Mid-Game
The performance didn’t go unnoticed in the huddle. Wide receiver Tre Tucker, Mayer’s draft classmate, made a point to acknowledge it in the middle of the game.
“I told him that, literally during the game, like the last drive, I was like, ‘I’m proud of you, man,’” Tucker said. “‘You got to catch some footballs today. See you running.’ I was very happy to see him do what he did today.”
Later, Tucker couldn’t resist a playful jab, reminding Mayer that his Cincinnati Bearcats beat Mayer’s Fighting Irish in 2021 a game in which both players had strong performances.
Production Everywhere on the Field
Mayer wasn’t just productive he was impactful. He accounted for five of the Raiders’ 10 longest plays of the game, with receptions of 19, 16, 13, 13, and 11 yards. When he wasn’t finding space over the middle, he was barreling through defenders after the catch or blowing people off the ball in the run game.
Asked for his favorite play, Mayer smiled. “I had like a little choice route that felt really good,” he said. “I faked to the outside and ran inside and there was nobody on the whole inside. That kind of brought me back to college. I used to run those routes all the time. “If you get the guy leaning one way… that’s when it’s fun. So, I’d say that one.”
More Than a Blocking Tight End
With both Mayer and Bowers on the roster, it’s easy to simplify roles: Bowers as the receiving threat, Mayer as the blocker. Sunday blew that notion apart.
“We have the best tight end tandem in the NFL,” Tucker said. “I played against [Mayer] in college he was a dog, the best tight end in the country. Then the year after, we got the other best tight end in the country. Those two guys are tremendous.”
With Bowers on the sideline supporting teammates and coaching Mayer through the game the moment belonged to No. 87.
Confidence, Even in Defeat
When asked how the day felt on a personal level, Mayer tried to suppress a grin. “It felt so good,” he said. “Oh my God, it felt so good. I haven’t been able to do that in a while.
“I know we didn’t win the game, but to be able to do that and really give myself some confidence like that whether it’s the first game of the season or the second-to-last it just feels really good. I want to win the game, but it feels good.”
Good. And yes bittersweet. Because on a day when the Raiders lost again, Michael Mayer reminded everyone exactly who he is and why he still matters when this franchise finally turns the page.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
