Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst didn’t mince words when addressing the team’s offseason priorities - and tight end Tucker Kraft is clearly front and center. As the Packers gear up for what could be a defining stretch for this front office, Kraft’s role in the long-term vision is becoming crystal clear.
Gutekunst confirmed that the team has already initiated conversations with Kraft’s camp about a potential contract extension. That’s a big step - and a telling one.
Kraft has emerged as a go-to target for quarterback Jordan Love, and in today’s NFL, when you’ve got chemistry between your QB and a reliable tight end, you don’t let that walk. Locking up Kraft is more than just retaining talent - it’s about sustaining the offensive identity the Packers have been building.
But while Kraft seems to be ascending into a foundational role, the same can’t be said for fellow 2023 draft pick Luke Musgrave. And the contrast between the two couldn’t be more stark.
Musgrave, who was selected 36 picks ahead of Kraft, now finds himself in a precarious spot. He's also entering the final year of his rookie deal, but unlike Kraft, there’s been no buzz about an extension. In fact, the silence is deafening.
When Kraft went down with a season-ending ACL tear in November, it looked like Musgrave had a golden opportunity to reassert himself in the offense. Instead, things went the other way.
By the second game after Kraft’s injury, Musgrave was already being phased out of the game plan. That shift wasn’t subtle - it was a clear indicator of how the coaching staff views the tight end hierarchy moving forward.
Over the nine games Kraft missed, Musgrave posted 15 catches for 164 yards and no touchdowns. He played on just under half of the offensive snaps during that stretch.
The Packers, who had previously leaned heavily on the tight end position in the passing game, pivoted. They started leaning into their deep and versatile wide receiver corps instead - a move that spoke volumes about their confidence in Musgrave’s ability to step up.
From a financial standpoint, Musgrave’s $2.69 million cap hit doesn’t make him an obvious cut candidate. There’s minimal cap relief in letting him go, so a release seems unlikely.
But that doesn’t mean he’s locked into a roster spot either. At 26 years old this September and still carrying the pedigree of a second-round pick, Musgrave could draw interest on the trade market.
Teams looking for a developmental tight end with upside might see value where the Packers no longer do.
The Packers are making their intentions clear. Kraft is part of the future - a player they’re willing to invest in.
Musgrave, on the other hand, looks more like a player they’re preparing to move on from. And in the NFL, especially at a position as nuanced and scheme-dependent as tight end, that kind of shift can happen fast.
As Green Bay continues to shape its roster around Jordan Love, the message is simple: the window is open, and they’re prioritizing players who’ve proven they can produce when it matters. Right now, that means Tucker Kraft is getting the nod - and Luke Musgrave is left waiting for his next opportunity, wherever that may be.