Michael Mayer is more than ready for his close-up Sunday when the Raiders open their season against the Miami Dolphins.

You might even say the moment is long overdue.

The Raiders’ fourth-year tight end was already expected to play a significant role in Klint Kubiak’s offense, a system designed to lean heavily on the position. But Mayer’s responsibilities will expand beyond what anyone originally imagined now that Brock Bowers has been ruled out after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier this week.

For at least one Sunday, and perhaps a few more, Mayer will be asked to replace one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons. In some respects, though, he is merely stepping back into a pair of familiar and comfortable shoes.

“I love catching the football. I love scoring touchdowns,” Mayer said Wednesday. “And more importantly, I love winning.”

Coming from a typical TE2, especially one with a relatively modest 83 catches for 788 yards through three NFL seasons, those words might sound overly ambitious.

But Mayer has never been a typical second-string tight end. In fact, he was never supposed to become one.

Before Bowers became Brock Bowers – the matchup nightmare, record-setter and centerpiece of an NFL offense – Mayer occupied a remarkably similar place in the college football landscape. At Notre Dame, he was the prototype: an elite, do-everything tight end capable of blocking defensive ends, running past linebackers and becoming his quarterback’s most trusted target.

Mayer finished his college career with 180 catches for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns, setting school records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end.

He was not simply a good college player. He was considered one of the safest and most complete prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is why the Raiders traded up to select him with the 35th overall pick.

At the time, Mayer was supposed to become a foundational piece of their offense.

Then Bowers happened.

When the Raiders selected Bowers in the first round one year later, Mayer naturally moved out of the spotlight. That was less an indictment of Mayer than recognition of Bowers’ rare ability. Bowers arrived as a different kind of offensive weapon – part tight end, part wide receiver and part open-field nightmare – and quickly established himself as the centerpiece of the Raiders’ passing game.

Mayer became the other tight end.

That description, however, has always understated his talent and importance.

The Raiders did not draft Mayer because they thought he was a complementary player. They drafted him because they believed he could become a complete NFL tight end – someone capable of contributing as a blocker, operating in traffic and providing a quarterback with a reliable target on third down and near the goal line.

Sunday represents an opportunity to remind everyone of that.

“I’m trying to be the best version of myself and trying to know the game plan as best I can,” Mayer said. “Try to play as fast as I can, and just let the game come to me.”

It is not the first time the Raiders have had to function without Bowers. He missed five games last season with a knee injury, giving Mayer a taste of the expanded responsibilities that await him against Miami.

But Mayer may never have been better positioned to take advantage of the opportunity than he is now.

Kubiak’s offense offers a natural runway for him. Its reliance on multiple-tight-end formations means Mayer was already expected to be heavily involved alongside Bowers. His ability to line up attached to the formation, help in the running game and release into routes makes him an ideal fit for what Kubiak wants to do.

With Bowers unavailable, the number of routes, targets and designed opportunities should increase.

That does not mean Mayer must become Bowers. Very few players can.

The mistake would be asking Mayer to imitate everything Bowers does rather than emphasizing the qualities that once made Mayer one of the most celebrated tight ends in college football. Let him work the middle of the field. Use his size against smaller defensive backs. Give him opportunities on third down. Allow him to establish himself as a dependable target for Kirk Cousins.

Bowers’ absence will undoubtedly change the way the Dolphins defend the Raiders. He is the type of player who demands additional attention before the snap and can alter the structure of a defense simply by where he lines up. Without him, Miami can redirect some of those resources elsewhere.

That puts pressure on Mayer and everyone around him to punish the Dolphins for doing so.

The Raiders will need more from their wide receivers. Their running backs will have to contribute in the passing game. Kubiak will be responsible for creating favorable matchups without his most versatile chess piece.

“This is a business it’s a profession, and things happen,” Mayer said. “This isn’t anybody’s first rodeo in this locker room or on this team. We know how the NFL operates. We know how it works, and I think everybody’s just coming together to help this offense.”

But no one stands to inherit more of the burden – or the opportunity – than Mayer.

His first three NFL seasons have not unfolded exactly as many expected when he left Notre Dame. There have been flashes, interruptions and the unavoidable reality of sharing a position room with one of the best young players in football.

None of that means the ability disappeared.

Sometimes an NFL career takes off because a player forces the issue. Other times, circumstances finally create the opening he has been waiting for.

Mayer now has his opening.

It arrives because of an injury the Raiders certainly never wanted and under circumstances that create immediate pressure. Bowers is indispensable to this offense, and pretending otherwise would be foolish. Replacing his production will require a collective effort.

“We all feel horrible,” Mayer said. “Brock’s one of my good friends here.”

Bowers doesn’t need anyone’s sympathy. And Mayer doesn’t need any big introduction to the spotlight.

He needs the football.

Before Bowers was Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer was the tight end everyone was talking about. On Sunday, with Bowers watching and the Raiders needing someone to step forward, Mayer gets another chance to show everyone why.