From the way Mayer has looked early this offseason, it seems he’s right about flipping the script and raising his confidence following a strenuous rookie year.

“Mike Mayer has been outstanding. I cannot say enough good things about Mike Mayer, his professional approach for a guy that’s only in his second year,” tight ends coach Luke Steckel said. “He’s got me and everyone else fooled. The leadership he’s shown in the room, the energy he brings every day. He’s an incredible teammate. He’s encouraging his fellow teammates, his fellow tight ends, the entire offense. … I had really high expectations because of his reputation as a player and as a person before I got here, and he’s exceeded all of those.”

The other returning tight ends are Zach Gentry, Cole Fotheringham and John Samuel Shenker. Fotheringham, the former Utah Utes standout, appeared in two contests for the Silver and Black in 2023 and caught five passes for 71 yards in the preseason. Shenker, a UDFA signing from Auburn, also appeared in all three 2023 preseason games.

Gentry provides the most NFL experience to the tight end room, having started 26 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in four seasons before signing with the Raiders in December of 2023.