Tom Brady (Photo By Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Tom Brady could soon play a role in helping his former team, the New England Patriots, secure a promising young tight end. A new trade proposal suggests the Las Vegas Raiders, where Brady is now a minority owner, could send 23-year-old Michael Mayer to New England in exchange for a late-round draft pick.
Kevin Sinclair of SI.com outlined the potential move, giving the Patriots a much-needed infusion of youth at tight end. Mayer, a 2023 second-round pick, entered the league with high expectations after becoming Notre Dame’s all-time receptions leader for tight ends. However, he has yet to live up to his “Baby Gronk” nickname, recording just 48 catches and two touchdowns over two seasons.
If the Raiders are willing to part ways with him, the Patriots could land a talented young playmaker at a bargain price.
Patriot’s Tight End Room Needs Fresh Legs
Michael Mayer (Photo By Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Patriots’ current tight end duo, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, are both 30 years old and entering their 10th NFL seasons. While still effective, research from sports analysis group Apex suggests tight ends typically peak between ages 25 and 27, making the need for a long-term solution clear.
Mayer, at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, offers a combination of size and skill that could make him a valuable asset in New England’s offense. If the Patriots can acquire him for a Day Three pick, likely one of their fourth- or fifth-round selections, it would be a low-risk move with significant upside.
Tom Brady’s influence on the Raiders’ personnel decisions remains somewhat unclear, but it adds an intriguing wrinkle to the trade talks. Given his history in New England and connection to the franchise’s golden era, seeing him indirectly assist the Patriots in landing a potential successor to Rob Gronkowski would be a full-circle moment. And if Mayer finds his footing in Foxborough, this trade could add another chapter to the Patriots’ legacy of dominant tight ends.
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