Brian Gutekunst says the Packers are still pushing to lock up Tucker Kraft long term, and he’d like the deal finished before the season gets rolling.
“Would love to. No updates there, but we're working towards that. Would like to have that done before the beginning of the season,” Gutekunst said
That’s the latest on a contract situation Green Bay has clearly put near the top of its list. Kraft has one year left on his current deal and is set to make $3.6 million this season, but the Packers want to keep the breakout tight end in place beyond that.
The urgency makes sense. Green Bay is coming off a 2025 finish that went sideways fast, with five straight losses to close the year and a wild-card defeat to the Chicago Bears. Injuries were a major part of that slide, and while Micah Parsons’ ACL tear drew plenty of attention, Kraft’s absence hit the offense hard too.
Before going down in early November, Kraft was in the middle of a real breakout. He played in eight games last season and finished with 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged 10.8 yards after the catch, which is exactly the kind of production that makes him such a valuable target for Jordan Love.
His 2024 season showed even more of that upside. Kraft appeared in all 17 games, caught 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns, and looked like a player on the rise. That’s part of why Green Bay is so eager to get something done now.
The Packers drafted Kraft in the third round in 2023 out of South Dakota, and at 25, he’s already become a key piece of what the team wants to build.
In Other News...
Packers Finalize Their QB3 Plan After Kyle McCord Decision
The Packers have settled on their third-quarterback plan, bringing in former Cardinals passer Kedon Slovis to join the practice squad behind Jordan Love and Tyrod Taylor. General manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed the move in a press conference, giving Green Bay a little more clarity at a position where depth can disappear quickly over the course of a season.
Slovis also comes with a familiar face from the preseason, having played against the Packers in the finale before ending up on their side of the roster decisions. His path has been anything but straightforward, with stops across multiple teams and colleges before landing in Green Bay, and the Packers are now betting that experience can help stabilize the back end of the quarterback room. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Fans Still Have One Clear Standard For No. 56
No. 56 has had a surprisingly deep run through Packers history, with a mix of old-school names and more modern standouts giving the number a little extra weight in Green Bay. Nate Barragar and Ted Hendricks both bring Hall of Fame cachet to the conversation, while Julius Peppers added a short-lived burst of star power during his brief stint with the team.
Still, the standard most Packers fans seem to land on is Nick Barnett, whose eight seasons gave the number its most dependable and complete identity. Barnetts production was steady from year to year, and his 789 tackles and a memorable interception return gave No. 56 the kind of sustained impact that tends to stick in a fan bases memory long after the flashier cases have faded. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Emergency Running Back Plan Is Already Drawing The Wrong Debate
When Josh Jacobs landed on the Commissioners Exempt List, Green Bay had to move quickly to stabilize the backfield, and the front office settled on Kaleb Johnson, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the kind of emergency swing teams make when the season is already moving, with the Packers needing a back who could step in and help absorb snaps while the situation around Jacobs plays out.
The wrinkle is that Johnson was not the only name under consideration. Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants was viewed as a possible alternative, but he stayed put after a late preseason performance that helped cement his spot. Tracy also dealt with a minor injury in a recent game before returning to the sideline, while Johnson arrives in Green Bay with limited NFL experience and production, which has already pushed the conversation toward what the Packers might have preferred instead of the player they actually got. [Read more 🡒]