The Chicago Bears are prioritizing improvements to both their offensive and defensive lines during the 2025 NFL offseason but also need to add more playmakers to support quarterback Caleb Williams.
Fortunately, the Las Vegas Raiders have just made an intriguing option available on the trade market.
According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, the Raiders have been shopping tight end Michael Mayer—selected 35th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft—and are “open to other trade discussions” as the new league year approaches next week.
Initially, the Raiders expected Mayer to be a key offensive weapon when they drafted him in the second round, but his rookie season was underwhelming, producing just 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns. His role diminished even further in 2024 after the team acquired star tight end Brock Bowers, who became the primary target.
“Mayer will be on a team-friendly rookie contract for two more seasons, and several teams valued him highly as a prospect,” Tafur and Reed reported. “With Bowers now in place, the Raiders might prefer to trade Mayer for assets rather than keep him in a reduced role.”
For the Bears—who are in need of additional pass-catchers—acquiring Mayer at a reasonable price could be a smart move that aligns with the Raiders’ shifting priorities.
Bears Could Trade for Michael Mayer With Low Risk
The Bears may have Cole Kmet as their starting tight end for the 2025 season, but they still have needs to address at the position this offseason.
They released veteran tight end Gerald Everett after his minimal impact in 2024. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, the Bears are expected to look to the draft for depth behind Kmet. However, Michael Mayer’s sudden availability presents another option.
With that in mind, Heavy.com proposed a hypothetical trade that could benefit both Chicago and Las Vegas if the Raiders are serious about moving Mayer.
Trade proposal: The Bears would send a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick (which could become a fifth-rounder if Mayer meets certain performance benchmarks) to the Raiders in exchange for Mayer and the remaining two years on his $9.3 million rookie contract.
Financially, acquiring Mayer would be a low-risk move for the Bears. His cap hits for the next two seasons are $2.54 million and $2.96 million, respectively. For context, Chicago freed up $5.5 million by releasing Everett, making Mayer’s contract a minor expense for a potential offensive asset.
The key question is whether the Bears view Mayer as a worthwhile investment. While he didn’t take a top-30 visit with Chicago before the 2023 draft, new head coach Ben Johnson utilized tight ends extensively with the Detroit Lions. Additionally, Johnson brought in former tight ends coach Declan Doyle as his offensive coordinator.
If the Bears believe Mayer has untapped potential, a trade could be on the table.
Bears Can Bolster Position Without Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer’s availability should be on the Bears’ radar. While his NFL production has fallen short of expectations, inconsistent quarterback play in Las Vegas may have contributed to his struggles. With a new front office in Chicago, taking a low-risk chance on Mayer—at an affordable price—could be a worthwhile gamble.
If the Bears decide Mayer isn’t the right fit, they have other avenues to strengthen the tight end position behind Cole Kmet, both in free agency and the draft.
The free-agent market lacks star power at tight end, but the Bears could find a veteran pass-catcher to fill the role. New Orleans’ Juwan Johnson stands out as a potential target, having averaged 11.0 yards per reception on 129 catches with 14 touchdowns over the past three seasons. Additionally, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle previously worked with Johnson as an assistant in New Orleans from 2020 to 2022, providing a direct connection to the Bears’ staff. The draft, however, remains the most promising route for the Bears to add long-term depth.
Several tight ends improved their draft stock with strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine, including LSU’s Mason Taylor, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, and Texas’ Gunner Helm. Notably, Ferguson and Helm both confirmed they met with the Bears at the combine, further fueling speculation that Chicago could address the position in the draft.
Whatever direction they choose, the Bears’ plans will start taking shape when the NFL’s legal tampering period for free-agent negotiations begins at noon ET on March 10.