The Kansas City Chiefs are used to the heightened expectations that can surround a team's tight end position. Travis Kelce has been one of the best pass catchers in NFL history on their side. He seems to have found a new gear in 2026. But for the Chiefs' defense this week, they are the ones who cannot let a tight end (or two) take the game over.
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer present extremely challenging matchups for Kansas City this Sunday. In a battle between two 3-0 teams, it is clear which offensive playmakers are driving the bus for each squad.
How do the Chiefs plan to defend these Raiders tight ends? Plus, what is one major idea to monitor with how Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak is deploying this pair?
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are already creating problems
Bowers just made his season debut last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. From the jump, New Orleans had its hands full trying to corral him. And it rarely worked for the Saints when Kirk Cousins fired it Bowers' way.
Bowers finished with 10 catches on 14 targets, 116 receiving yards, and a touchdown catch in his first game of 2026. He got going immediately on the first drive. It led to Bowers having a monster first half. As Bill Barnwell of ESPN noted, the Raiders gave him plenty of leeway to align all over the formation, too.
It was one thing for Bowers to come out hot in the Saints game. Meanwhile, Mayer looks more functional in this offense. He is seemingly as comfortable as ever. Mayer's steady start has him well on pace for his most productive season in the NFL.
Klint Kubiak is making Bowers even harder to defend
The alignment and usage of Bowers are unique. He always had that capability in his bag as a player defined as a tight end, dating back to his college days at Georgia. But with Kubiak in the fold, that opportunity to move him around and get him in advantageous spots is more noticeable. Kubiak helped Jaxon Smith-Njigba churn out a monster season last year in Seattle. The Seahawks' wide receiver was able to receive plenty of favorable looks and matchups due to how his alignment moved around and Seattle trusting him against any coverage.
As for Mayer, the Kubiak factor was realized when he signed a contract extension this offseason. For how little the Notre Dame product had produced in his first three seasons, the extension was stunning at first. But if you look at Mayer's salary ranking in the tight end landscape, it appears more digestible at first glance. And it may even turn into a bargain for the Raiders if they are going to utilize him as adequately as they have so far this season.
The Chiefs have several options for slowing down Bowers
The Chiefs' linebackers have faced questions in coverage. Nick Bolton has always faced a glass ceiling when it comes to his coverage depth and change of direction against the pass. Drue Tranquill is getting a tad slower as he ages as well. Does Kansas City really trust any other linebackers on its roster?
Given that last point, the Chiefs may give Bowers matchups against linebackers as little as they can. L'Jarius Sneed had a solid Week 1 showing. He has been tested heavily these last two weeks. If anything, his physicality and tackling can still be an asset at this point in his career. Will Sneed be reliable enough in space to pair him with Bowers or Mayer?
We could get a potential Chamarri Conner return from injury this week. He is usually better off when left in the high post over the top. However, his size and experience near the line of scrimmage could aid the Chiefs while trying to limit Bowers or Mayer. Finally, how often Chris Roland-Wallace sees the field Sunday is an underrated aspect to watch. If Kansas City can get him significant snaps, that will allow them to throw many different options and coverages Las Vegas' way.
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