The Miami Dolphins face a new challenge after trading away tight end Jonnu Smith, their most notable tight end from last season. With Julian Hill now at the top of the depth chart, the Dolphins are left with a young, unproven player who has yet to record more than 100 receiving yards in a single season.
This move comes at a time when Miami is searching for stability at the position, and rumors have already started about potential replacements. One name frequently mentioned is Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, but recent insider reports suggest a deal is unlikely.
Raiders Insider Refutes Reports Linking Michael Mayer to Miami
The Dolphins recently completed a trade that sent Smith, three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
PFSN labeled the Dolphins losers of this trade, noting that while moving Ramsey was necessary, trading Smith after a strong season made little sense.
Soon after the trade, reports surfaced that Miami was exploring options for a new tight end. The Dolphins reportedly showed interest in Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, especially after Brock Bowers established himself as the clear top tight end for Las Vegas in 2024.
Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reported that the franchise “has had their eye on Raider TE Michael Mayer for a while.”
The @Raiders have no interest in trading Michael Mayer. https://t.co/4cJyTXT4hX
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) June 30, 2025
However, those rumors were quickly downplayed. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal stated that the Raiders have no interest in trading Mayer.
Mayer, drafted 35th overall by the Raiders in 2023, has yet to break out as a star. He caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and in 2024, he missed significant time for personal reasons, finishing with 21 catches for 156 yards.
Looking at the Raiders’ Tight End Situation
Bowers had a historic rookie season, catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games. He averaged 70.2 receiving yards per game and is now the clear top tight end for Las Vegas.
While Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is not known for featuring tight ends heavily in his offense, recent reports suggest Mayer could see a bigger role in 2025.
“With me and Brock, it’s pretty interesting because we do a lot of 12-personnel stuff, and, you know, this spring we’ve also been doing a lot of 13-personnel too, which has been awesome. It’s been a lot of fun. So, I won’t speak any more to the 13-personnel, I’ll save that for the season, but I’ve got to be ready to do a lot of everything,” Mayer said on the Raiders’ YouTube channel.
If Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll truly plan to utilize multiple tight end sets, trading Mayer would seem counterproductive. This commitment to keeping both tight ends suggests the Dolphins will need to explore other avenues.
Several alternative options remain on the table for Miami. The Baltimore Ravens might entertain offers for Mark Andrews, particularly given his contract situation and Isaiah Likely’s emergence.
The Chicago Bears could potentially move Cole Kmet after drafting Colston Loveland in the first round. Additionally, the Atlanta Falcons continue to field calls about Kyle Pitts, whose production hasn’t matched his draft status.
Each situation presents unique challenges, but Miami’s urgency to address the tight end position could lead to creative solutions as training camp approaches.
