Raiders bring back veteran tight end on one-year deal
The Raiders are keeping the tight end room together with the return of veteran tight end Ian Thomas.
Las Vegas us keeping the band together at tight end this season. With Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer as the top two tight ends, the Raiders already had arguably the best tight end room in the league. Now they have re-signed Ian Thomas to keep their top three tight ends from last season on the roster.
Free agent tight end Ian Thomas is re-signing with the Raiders on a one-year deal, per source. Thomas spent his first seven seasons with Carolina before joining Las Vegas in 2025. pic.
twitter. com/Y0tHSVonWn ā Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 7, 2026 Thomas appeared in 15 games last season for the Raiders, starting ten. He caught all 13 passes thrown his way for 114 yards.
Prior to last season, Thomas has spent the first seven seasons of his career in Carolina where he caught 119 passes for 1062 yards and four touchdowns. The former Indiana product is entering his ninth NFL season, having made his career primarily doing the dirty work as a blocker and special teams guy. His return gives the Raiders five tight ends currently on the roster.