Raiders Re-Sign Veteran Tight End Ian Thomas

The one-year contract brings back the 29-year-old for another season in Las Vegas.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:49am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a tight end catching a football pass, with the player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a fractured, multi-perspective composition.The Raiders' decision to re-sign veteran tight end Ian Thomas reinforces their commitment to a strong tight end corps.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders have re-signed veteran tight end Ian Thomas to a one-year contract, according to a report from ESPN. Thomas, who is entering his eighth NFL season, spent the 2022 campaign with the Raiders after seven years with the Carolina Panthers.

Why it matters

The re-signing of Thomas provides continuity and depth at the tight end position for the Raiders, who are looking to build on a 2022 season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs. Thomas' experience and familiarity with the team's offensive system could make him a valuable contributor in the upcoming season.

The details

Thomas, 29, signed with the Raiders last offseason on a reported $1.52 million contract. In his first year with the team, he appeared in 15 games (10 starts), catching all 13 of his targets for 114 yards. He played on 36% of the Raiders' offensive snaps and 26% of their special teams snaps.

  • Thomas signed with the Raiders prior to the 2022 NFL season.
  • He played the 2022 season with the Raiders.

The players

Ian Thomas

A 29-year-old tight end who spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers before joining the Raiders in 2022.

Brock Bowers

A two-time Pro Bowl tight end who was Thomas' teammate on the Raiders in 2022.

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The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to bring back Ian Thomas for another season demonstrates their commitment to maintaining stability and experience at the tight end position as they aim to improve upon their 2022 campaign and make a playoff push in the upcoming year.