2 Raiders cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp

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2 Raiders cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp

Yago Antunes, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 ·

6 min read

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2 Raiders cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The Las Vegas Raiders will enter training camp with a new quarterback plan, a significant addition to the offensive line, and several tough roster decisions ahead. Fernando Mendoza , the No. 1 overall pick, has the potential to become the long-term face of the franchise. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has praised the rookie but emphasized that Mendoza must earn his position in the NFL. Additionally, Las Vegas has committed three years and $81 million to Tyler Linderbaum , although league evaluators are divided on his standing among the NFL's elite interior linemen.

These moves generate optimism, but rebuilding a roster often involves parting ways with players who once seemed secure in their spots. The Raiders have welcomed competition at several positions, altered coaching staffs, and invested in younger players who may align better with their plans.

Here are two Raiders players who could be cut as the team approaches the 2026 NFL training camp:

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S Isaiah Pola-Mao

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Despite having started all 17 games last season, labeling Isaiah Pola-Mao as a cut candidate might seem harsh. He recorded 92 tackles and two interceptions, demonstrating enough potential that Las Vegas believed he could evolve into a reliable starting safety, thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame and athletic ability.

However, his performance does not paint a complete picture. Pola-Mao had difficulty in coverage during the 2025 season, allowing numerous explosive completions and failing to provide the consistency expected from a deep safety. He also accumulated a troubling number of missed tackles over the past two seasons, a significant weakness for someone who frequently acts as the last line of defense.

According to Silver and Black Pride's analysis, Pola-Mao participated in 1,081 defensive snaps last season, allowing 582 receiving yards and six touchdowns in coverage. The outlet suggested that his best role might be as a reserve or in specific sub-packages rather than as an every-down free safety.

This scenario became more likely after the Raiders bolstered the safety position during the draft. Las Vegas selected Treydan Stukes in the second round and added Dalton Johnson in the fifth. Stukes brings versatility as he can play safety or cover in the slot, while Johnson presents a younger developmental option with four years of team control. Veteran Jeremy Chinn is also expected to play a significant role in the secondary.

The roster numbers now lean against Pola-Mao, because teams typically maintain four or five safeties on the final roster, depending on special teams contributions and the ability to handle multiple roles in the defensive backfield. It's hard to envision the Raiders leaving Chinn and Stukes off the roster. Johnson's draft position and long-term potential likely give him an edge for one of the remaining spots, leaving Pola-Mao in contention for a backup position instead of a guaranteed starting job.

His contract situation complicates matters further. As Pola-Mao enters the final year of his deal, the rookies present less expensive options for the Raiders beyond 2026, and a rebuilding organization may prioritize playing time for players who are expected to be part of the roster for the next two to three years.

There is still a realistic path for Pola-Mao to stay on the roster, as his extensive experience on defense, ability to play closer to the line of scrimmage, and capacity to provide valuable depth in packages that require him to cover tight ends or assist in run defense are assets. A strong preseason performance on special teams could also enhance his value.

Nonetheless, a player who once looked like a settled starter must now prove his worth as a backup. This transition can be challenging, especially with younger players being evaluated in the same position.

TE Michael Mayer

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Michael Mayer 's standing on the roster appears safer than that of Pola-Mao, but his situation still warrants scrutiny, as the Raiders traded up to select Mayer early in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He entered the league with a reputation as a complete tight end capable of blocking, working the middle of the field, and eventually becoming a significant component of the passing game.

Three years later, however, his breakout has yet to materialize. Mayer has displayed flashes of potential, particularly as a blocker and a reliable target on shorter routes, but he has not evolved into the consistent receiving threat the Raiders envisioned. This situation was further complicated when Brock Bowers arrived in 2024 and quickly established himself as the premier tight end in the offense, altering Mayer's role before he could fully assert himself.

Bowers can line up almost anywhere, command targets, and create mismatches that dictate the usage of the rest of the tight end room. As a result, Mayer has often found himself in a secondary role throughout his career with the Raiders, and while this role can still hold value in Klint Kubiak's offense, which frequently employs multiple-tight-end formations, Las Vegas must assess how many roster spots it wants to allocate to the tight end position.

Also, according to Silver and Black Pride, the 2026 season is critical for Mayer, as he enters the final year of his rookie contract . Expectations have remained high since Las Vegas traded up to select him, yet his impact has been inconsistent. Additionally, the Raiders have added Connor Heyward , whose versatility could further complicate Mayer's standing.

Heyward can play as a fullback, tight end, and contribute on special teams, and this kind of flexibility is valuable for a player near the end of a roster; a versatile reserve may be seen as more useful than a former high draft pick whose skills overlap with those of players higher on the depth chart.

The Raiders also re-signed Ian Thomas and have several younger tight ends competing for roles. Mayer remains the most accomplished player in that group behind Bowers, but his draft position no longer guarantees him a spot, and the current front office did not select him, as new coaching staffs often feel less attached to players inherited from previous regimes.

There is a significant distinction between being a useful player and being indispensable, as Mayer has skills such as blocking, catching the ball in traffic, and handling substantial offensive snaps. These abilities should make him appealing to another team, even if the Raiders decide he isn't a perfect fit. A trade seems more plausible than an outright release, especially since other organizations might see him as a starting-caliber tight end whose receiving production has been limited by Bowers' presence.

Mayer's best response would be to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is more than just Bowers' backup. Kubiak has utilized two- and three-tight-end packages throughout his career. Mayer should be given opportunities to block on the move, face linebackers, and contribute in the red zone. If he can establish himself as a dependable element in those formations, securing his roster spot will become more challenging for others.

However, if the offense predominantly revolves around Bowers while Heyward assumes hybrid roles and special teams responsibilities, Mayer's role could become too limited for a player approaching free agency.

The Raiders have spent the offseason reshaping the roster around Mendoza and creating a more stable environment for their rookie quarterback, and this process may involve tough decisions regarding players who once seemed crucial to the team's future. Mayer and Pola-Mao possess enough talent to remain in Las Vegas, and training camp will ultimately reveal whether either player fits into the vision for the Raiders as they head into 2026.

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