Klint Kubiak brings an air of credibility to this Las Vegas Raiders offense that has been sorely missing for years now. And while that certainly applies in a wide-ranging sense for the Raiders, Kubiak has the specific know-how to get the most out of a special tight end group in Las Vegas.
It didn't take long in training camp to realize that Brock Bowers' value may go up to the moon, but the strong play of the third-year pro overshadowed that of Michael Mayer, another great young tight end on this roster who hasn't come remotely close to hitting his ceiling. He's the Raiders' best-kept secret.
But he shouldn't stay hidden for long, as Kubiak proved both in training camp and in the preseason that he can uncover Mayer's talents in a major way during the 2026 NFL season. And with a wide receiver corps that isn't delivering much, Las Vegas may be counting on Mayer to produce quite a bit.
Klint Kubiak can turn Michael Mayer into the player Raiders thought he was
After getting selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Mayer's professional career hasn't gone as he or the organization planned. He has struggled with injuries and off-the-field issues in his three seasons, and the emergence of Bowers has hindered his ability to break out for the offense.
Mayer is absolutely one of the best pass-catching weapons on this current Raiders offense, though, and Kubiak has expressed several times this offseason that the "five best eligibles" need to be on the field. That wasn't just lip service, as Kubiak showed that all summer long.
In the 16 preseason snaps that Mayer was on the field and Las Vegas passed the ball, he caught four passes on four targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. He was clearly a featured piece and someone who Kubiak was trying to scheme open, and the Raiders had no problem doing so. Mayer capitalized.
If he can continue to make that level of impact during the regular season, then this Las Vegas offense won't be lacking for weapons as much as some think. Mayer was a legitimate pass-catching option in college, and he's shown serious flashes of that in the NFL. But he needs a bigger sample size.
Kubiak will provide one.
Klint Kubiak's history of utilizing multiple TEs means it is Michael Mayer breakout season
The Seattle Seahawks didn't have an elite tight end like Bowers last season, so that may change the complexion of the offense a bit. But in 2025, Kubiak used 12 personnel, meaning two tight ends in the game at the same time, at the eighth-highest rate in the NFL.
According to Sumer Sports, the Seahawks' EPA per play in 12 personnel was the second-best in the league, which means that Kubiak was dialing it up in this personnel grouping. The Raiders utilized 12 personnel a lot last season under Chip Kelly, but were among the worst at executing in it.
That pretty much encapsulates Mayer's experience in Las Vegas thus far: The team has tried to make him an asset in the passing game, in addition to him already being a great run-blocker, but they've failed to do so, either because of a lack of know-how or an inability to execute on offense.
Under Kubiak, though, that should change. And with so many eyes on Bowers, Tre Tucker and running backs Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., the Raiders should be able to sneak Mayer open quite often. And given his immense skill set, he will make defenses pay.
Through his first three NFL seasons, Mayer mustered just 83 catches for 788 yards and three scores. It wouldn't surprise me if he nearly matches those yardage and touchdown totals in 2026 alone with a better quarterback and play-calling situation.
It is a contract year for Mayer, too, so he has extra incentive to go off for the Las Vegas offense. And Kubiak should help him take another step and cash in next offseason, whether that is with the Raiders or another team.
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