What Tucker Kraft’s extension could look like and why the Packers may secure outstanding value despite rising costs and questions
Tight end is entering the final year of his rookie deal. His contract value for a potential extension is a big topic of conversation around Green Bay.
The Green Bay Packers signed wide receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson to extensions this offseason, and tight end Tucker Kraft is the next candidate to secure a long-term deal. Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie contract and played at an extremely high level before an ACL injury ended his 2025 season. His unique skill set and rising trajectory make him a priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst this summer.
Projecting the deal
Determining Kraft’s market value is complicated. The ACL injury creates uncertainty, and his ability to generate yards after the catch has been his calling card throughout three NFL seasons. He also hasn’t fully reached his ceiling, which means there’s significant projection baked into any extension.
Cap analyst Josh Queipo of Pewter Report projected a potential deal for Kraft worth four years and $72 million. That comes out to $18 million per year, which would make Kraft the third highest-paid tight end in the NFL behind Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride and San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle.
Contract structure makes it team-friendlier
The Packers tend to use a specific contract structure with their players. Outside of quarterbacks and the exception to acquire Micah Parsons, Green Bay typically does not give players guarantees beyond the signing bonus. Queipo projected Kraft would receive a $25 million signing bonus, representing his entire guarantee on the deal.
That structure is team-friendly, which fits the Packers’ usual approach. But it also works for Kraft. Given his rising trajectory, he would likely play through the entire four-year deal and see all of the money on the contract.
The real value for Green Bay
The best part for the Packers is the math when factoring in the final year of Kraft’s rookie deal. He is set to make $3.93 million in 2026 as a former third-round pick who achieved the proven performance escalator. Adding that salary to the new four-year extension creates a five-year total of roughly $75.93 million. The real average per year across those five seasons drops to approximately $15.18 million.
That’s strong value for a tight end with Kraft’s production and upside. Green Bay would lock in a core offensive weapon at a price well below his projected $18 million annual new-money figure.
After securing Reed and Watson, getting Kraft’s deal done should be the next order of business for Gutekunst. The third-round pick from 2023 has developed into one of the more dynamic tight ends in the league when healthy, and the combination of his skill set and the Packers’ contract structure creates a scenario where both sides benefit. Locking Kraft in now, while the price reflects some injury risk, could prove a smart long-term investment if he returns to full health and continues to grow as a player.