Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is entering his second season in the NFL after showing some flashes during his rookie campaign in 2023 — and he's noticed a big change in himself.
Mayer, who was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, finished his first year in the NFL with 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns, and that was with the team not utilizing him enough.
Mayer says he's "flipped the script" from his rookie campaign and doesn't even think about it anymore. He also admitted there were times last year when he didn't want to come in, but that has changed significantly.
"My mentality, my attitude this year — nothing wrong with last year — it's just different this year," Mayer said, per Vegas Sports Today. "I'm way happier, I'm way more positive. I love to be out here on this field, I love to play football. It's what I do, it's my job. I've definitely flipped the script a little bit. Last year, maybe there were some days I didn't want to come in or something was going on. I flipped the script. It's time to dig down, play some ball, win some ballgames and do what I need to do for this team. Rookie year is over, that's way in the past, I've already reflected on it, I've already put it behind me. I don't even think about it anymore."
The Raiders made a few new additions in the tight ends room this offseason, but none were bigger than the selection of Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Mayer has expressed excitement for the potential of what he and Bowers can do in the same formation, but he also admitted his reaction to the pick wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows at first.
"It is what it is," Mayer said of his initial reaction to the Bowers pick, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez. "I mean, they drafted me last year, so I've just got to come here, keep my head down, keep working hard, try to win as many games as possible. I mean, that's totally out of my control, so I'm here to play ball."
"It's already in the past," he added. "It's already way behind me."
With offensive coordinator Luke Getsy now at the helm, Mayer will be in his second offense in as many seasons.
The Notre Dame product says he reached out to fellow tight end Cole Kmet, who played under Getsy during his days in Chicago, and came away pleased with the review he received in terms of how Getsy's offense is for tight ends.
"Cole Kmet from Notre Dame, I'm pretty good buddies with him, so I talked to him and he said he loves Getsy," Mayer explained. "He loves Steck [Luke Steckel], my tight ends coach, and, obviously, [Kmet] just got a big-time contract and he's got a ton of balls his way.
"So, from everything I've seen and everything I've heard and learned, Getsy's offense is very good for tight ends," he continued. "It's very good for offenses and scoring points, so we're excited about that."
Mayer's initial reaction to the Bowers pick is certainly understandable, but clearly he sees the vision the Raiders have for the Georgia product and is fully on board with it. If both players pan out, Bowers and Mayer are going to be a fun duo to watch for years to come.
