Las Vegas Raiders tight end coach Luke Steckel explains what sets Brock Bowers apart, plus the latest on Michael Mayer trade buzz and Kirk Cousins’ tight end usage.
Fantasy football nerds have had their fun this offseason, cooking up names like “You Underestimate My Bowers” and “Super Bowers” in the tight end’s honor. And with Bowers currently going as a top 25 overall pick with TE2 upside, the hype isn’t exactly baseless. But talk to his position coach, and you’ll hear a different explanation for it. Steckel doesn’t think it’s hype at all. He thinks it’s earned.
“Some people were born to play football, and I think he was one of them,” Steckel told reporters Monday, describing a player he believes could find open grass blindfolded. What really separates Bowers, according to Steckel, is the work behind the scenes. The third-year tight end studies at all hours, he said, and rarely steps onto the field with an unanswered question.
Steckel also pointed to Bowers’ growth as a leader this offseason, saying his work ethic and how his teammates view him have made him one of the more respected players in the building this camp.
And the tight end room’s strength doesn’t start and stop with Bowers…
Steckel singled out Michael Mayer, too. He called it one of the best camps Mayer’s had in their three years together, nose injury and all. Ian Thomas also earned praise. Steckel called him a versatile piece who has caught the ball well all camp. And newly signed Chris Myarick has picked up the offense quickly, Steckel said, despite joining midcamp after most of the install was already in.
Related: Raiders QB Kirk Cousins back with first team on Monday
That depth is exactly why Mayer’s future in Las Vegas has become a talking point. NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported Monday that a rival general manager said their team asked about trading for Mayer at last year’s deadline, only to be turned down. La Canfora also pointed to a telling stat: Kirk Cousins has a career completion rate of more than 73 percent and a 105.3 passer rating when targeting tight ends.
That goes a long way toward explaining why the Raiders have been reluctant to move Mayer, even with Bowers firmly established as TE1. Mayer, a pending free agent after this season, caught 35 passes for 328 yards and a touchdown a year ago.
Whatever happens with his future, Steckel made one thing clear Monday: The Raiders plan to lean on both tight ends and the star at the top of that room all season long.
*Top Photo: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images