Packers GM Brian Gutekunst provides telling update on Tucker Kraft extension discussions as 2 key questions remain
The rising tight end is negotiating a new contract with Green Bay, but it’s unclear if the parties will reach an agreement ahead of the regular season.
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the ongoing contract negotiations with tight end Tucker Kraft, and his comments reveal a front office committed to keeping the young pass catcher long term. The Packers and Kraft both want a deal done, but two central questions linger: how much the extension will be worth and whether the sides can finalize an agreement before the 2026 regular season begins.
Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is set to earn $3.674 million in 2026 after triggering the proven performance escalator. Green Bay views him as a cornerstone of the offense, and Kraft wants to remain in Green Bay for his second NFL deal. The alignment in desire, however, hasn’t translated into a finished contract.
Gutekunst knows how valuable Kraft is
Gutekunst was transparent about the state of talks, acknowledging the possibility that negotiations could bleed into the regular season if the two sides can’t find a middle ground.
“These things take time, and sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t,” Gutekunst said. “But we’re excited about what Tuck’s going to do for us this year and in the future.”
The general manager also praised Kraft’s professionalism throughout the process. The rising offensive weapon has been a full participant in training camp recently, including 11-on-11 drills and team activities, despite returning from an ACL injury. That approach, Gutekunst said, is exactly what the organization expects from him.
“Tuck handles himself exactly how we want him to. He always has,” the GM added. “He’s a competitor. It’s important to him, so we’ve always had a lot of faith that he’s going to do those kinds of things. We would love to have that done. Again, these things are complicated at times, but we know Tuck’s obviously going to be here, and that’s very important to us. Whether we’re able to accomplish that before the beginning of the season or not, we’ll see. But it’s very important to me. I think it’s matching the support of the player.”
What the tight end market looks like
The tight end market has escalated considerably in recent years. San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle currently holds the highest yearly average at the position at $19.1 million, followed by Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride at $19 million per year. There is an expectation that Kraft could surpass those figures, potentially reaching $20 million annually.
Per Spotrac, though, Kraft is projected to receive a four-year, $70.9 million extension, which would come out to $17.7 million per year. That number sits below the current top of the market, and the gap between the projection and the ceiling illustrates why the negotiations remain ongoing.
Kraft doesn’t have the same statistical resume as Kittle or McBride. That said, the market doesn’t always reward past production alone. Young, ascending players frequently reset the position’s pay scale when extension time arrives, regardless of whether their numbers match the current highest-paid player at the position.
From the Packers’ perspective, a more favorable deal or the application of their usual and team-friendly contract structure would be the ideal outcome. From Kraft’s side, maximizing guarantees is the priority. As he experienced firsthand last season, injuries can alter the trajectory of a career, and financial protection matters.
As Gutekunst acknowledged, these deals take time, because both sides have legitimate motivations pulling the negotiation in different directions. Whether the Packers and Kraft reach an agreement before Week 1 or carry the talks into the season, the end goal remains the same for both parties: a long-term partnership in Green Bay.
