Kansas City, MO – April 23, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders, navigating their first NFL Draft under general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, are poised to make waves, with sources telling ESPN on Wednesday that tight end Michael Mayer could be traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. As the Chiefs seek to bolster their offense after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Bleacher Report’s John Stolnis identifies Kansas City as an ideal destination for the $9 million playmaker.
Mayer, a 2023 second-round pick (No. 35 overall), showed promise as a rookie with 27 catches for 304 yards but struggled in 2024, missing six games due to personal issues and injury (NFL.com). The rise of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (112 catches, 1,194 yards) has dimmed Mayer’s future in Las Vegas. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported multiple teams eyeing Mayer, with the Chiefs emerging as a fit.
“Mayer to Chiefs? Offense gets younger!”
“Mayer’s a better blocker than our depth options,” Stolnis wrote, noting his potential to complement Travis Kelce, whose 823 yards in 2024 marked a career low. The 23-year-old, in year three of a four-year, $9.3 million deal, could serve as Kelce’s heir or co-starter in 2025, enhancing Andy Reid’s playbook. The Chiefs could offer a 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 133), leveraging their eight draft selections.
“Veach grabs Mayer? That’s a steal!”
The Raiders, prioritizing Bowers, gain draft capital for a defensive rebuild. With $12.7 million in cap space, Kansas City can absorb Mayer’s $2.3 million 2025 hit (Spotrac). X buzzed: “Mayer with Kelce? Super Bowl reload!” As the April 24 draft nears, this trade could inject youth into the Chiefs’ tight end room, ensuring Mahomes has a potent weapon for another championship run.
