Bengals should keep tabs on hometown hero in trade talks only if desperation breaks through on the other side
The ripple effect of Erick All Jr.'s two-year injury had the Cincinnati Bengals meeting with the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class at this week's Scouting Combine. It may not be an ideal situation, but the club is looking to add to that position this offseason. Drafting one is the most […]
The ripple effect of Erick All Jr.'s two-year injury had the Cincinnati Bengals meeting with the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class at this week's Scouting Combine. It may not be an ideal situation, but the club is looking to add to that position this offseason.
Drafting one is the most likely course of action. The Bengals may spend a little to bring back Mike Gesicki, but he's more of a big-bodied slot receiver than he is a traditional tight end. The latter will be needed to sufficiently fill the void All's injury has created.
Trading for one may also be on the table if the right option presents itself. A certain Northern Kentucky native might just be that option.
Las Vegas Raiders reportedly shopping TE Michael Mayer
Mayer, who grew up just outside Cincinnati in Independence, KY., was heavily linked to the Bengals leading up to the 2023 draft. Cincinnati showcased interest in most of the tight end class that year, but passed on the chance to draft Mayer with the 28th overall pick, opting for defensive end Myles Murphy instead. Mayer fell out of the first round entirely and ended up going to Vegas in the second round.
Two years later, the Raiders have become interested in gauging the trade market for the 23-year old Mayer, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.
The Raiders have had discussions with teams who have interest in tight end Michael Mayer, according to league sources. Mayer hasn’t had the impact the Raiders hoped for when he was drafted in the second round in 2023. He had just 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie. He missed six games due to personal reasons in 2024 and was delegated to a marginal role due to the ascent of tight end Brock Bowers, who was named a first-team All-Pro. – The Athletic's Vic Tafur, Tashan Reed
The Bengals would be an intriguing trade partner here for multiple reasons. Mayer does fit the billing as a multi-purpose tight end who can play inline and detached from the formation, much like All could do both. He's even younger than All, so there's still plenty of room for him to expand his game.
Mayer's aforementioned ties to the area could also play a factor here. He grew up a Bengals fan and admitted Joe Burrow was his favorite player before even declaring for the draft back in 2022.
The fit makes sense on paper. Mayer still has two years left on his rookie contract, which gives any acquiring team enough time to determine if he can be a long-term piece of the puzzle. He'd have a clear opportunity to prove his worth with Drew Sample and Cam Grandy being the only two tight ends currently healthy and under contract.
So, done deal then? Not quite.
Bengals should be interested in Mayer, but only for the right price
Mayer may not be working out for the Raiders, but that doesn't mean they're just going to give him away for nothing. This is still a high second-round pick from two years ago. Las Vegas should be trying to get the best possible compensation in a deal.
If the final price is a Day 3 pick, then I'd say the Bengals should go for it. Mayer was a better prospect than that when he entered the league, and it'd be a better investment than taking a rookie tight end outside the first 100 picks.
If the price is a Day 2 pick, then the Bengals should hang up the phone. It would be bad business to trade one of those picks for a player with just two years left on his contract when the alternative is a player drafted on the same day with four years on his contract. The value just doesn't add up in the Bengals' favor.
The Raiders should also simply hang on to Mayer if they can't get a Day 2 pick in return for him. Yes, Brock Bowers was drafted a year later and proved to be immediately better, but there's still time for Mayer to really settle in and become a worthwhile piece of their offense. Sending him away for a pick much later than what was used to draft him now would not be wise.
Cincinnati isn't always against making trades, but you won't find the club sacrificing more value than what's coming into the building. Still, if the price does drop to, let's say a fourth or fifth-round pick, then the conversation can really begin.
