Who Should I Start? Michael Mayer or Colston Loveland

Monday, June 30, 9:19 PM

The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Las Vegas Raiders are not interested in trading tight end Michael Mayer. It comes after reports that the Miami Dolphins were interested in acquiring Mayer from the Raiders after trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. Mayer is scheduled to make $1.6 million in 2025 and $2 million in 2026 and took a back seat in 2024 to rookie Brock Bowers, catching just 21 of 32 targets for 156 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games (eight starts) in his second year in the NFL. The 23-year-old Notre Dame product caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. There have been reports suggesting he'll have a bigger role in 2025 in two-tight end sets in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's scheme, but as long as Bowers is healthy, he'll be the second fiddle at the position if he stays in Vegas.

Tuesday, July 22, 2:46 PM

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles says that rookie tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) is "ready to go," according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Lieser notes that there could be a gradual ramp-up period for Loveland as he recovers from the shoulder surgery he underwent in January. The Bears drafted Loveland in the first round of the 2025 draft out of Michigan. In 10 games last season for the Wolverines, he recorded 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Chicago has an established tight end to pair with Loveland in Cole Kmet, so the rookie won't need to be leaned on too heavily right away. Loveland is a borderline TE1 for fantasy, but a healthy and productive preseason could improve his outlook.