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Raiders news: Tight end gets paid

The Las Vegas Raiders have secured tight end Michael Mayer with a $45 million contract commitment, placing him at the center of the offense as fellow tight end Brock Bowers recovers from knee surgery. Bowers underwent a meniscus trim performed by Dr.

Daniel Cooper in Dallas on September 8, leaving him sidelined ahead of the team's opening-week matchup against the Miami Dolphins with an absence projected to span at least one or two contests. To facilitate financial flexibility prior to the season, Las Vegas also restructured a pair of player agreements to free up $8 million against the salary cap.

Mayer assumes the starting duties right as significant moves reshape the tight end market across the league. In another major transaction, the Green Bay Packers handed Tucker Kraft a historic four-year, $75 million extension, keeping him locked in despite an ACL tear sustained in Week 9 of the prior year.

Green Bay's substantial investment in Kraft follows recent multi-season pacts finalized for wideouts Jayden Reed and Christian Watson.