Packers Face Tight End Decisions Amid Injuries and Uncertainty Heading into 2026
As the Green Bay Packers head into a pivotal offseason, much of the conversation will revolve around fortifying the trenches-both offensive and defensive lines-and shoring up the cornerback position. But tucked just behind those headline needs is a sneaky-important question: what’s the plan at tight end?
Tucker Kraft emerged as a legitimate weapon in 2025, flashing the kind of upside that could place him among the league’s top 10 at the position. He was physical after the catch, reliable in the red zone, and showed real chemistry with Jordan Love.
But a season-ending knee injury halted that momentum-and now the Packers are left wondering how ready he’ll be to start 2026. That uncertainty casts a shadow over a position that was already dealing with attrition.
Kraft wasn’t the only tight end bitten by the injury bug. John FitzPatrick, who had carved out a role over the past two seasons in Green Bay, suffered a torn Achilles in Week 17 against the Ravens.
The timing couldn’t have been worse-for both the team and the player. With Kraft already sidelined and Josh Whyle in concussion protocol, FitzPatrick’s injury left the Packers scrambling for healthy bodies at the position.
And for FitzPatrick, who’s now set to hit free agency, the injury clouds his short-term future in the league.
Before the injury, FitzPatrick had started to show signs of growth. He posted career-highs in receptions (12), targets (15), and yards (72), while scoring his first career touchdown across 15 games and four starts.
He also held his own as a run blocker, earning a 66.0 grade from Pro Football Focus-a respectable mark for a backup tight end. At 25, he still offers developmental upside, but returning from an Achilles tear is no small feat, especially for a player who relies on lower-body strength for both blocking leverage and route running.
Green Bay will have to decide whether to bring FitzPatrick back on another short-term deal-possibly something similar to last year’s one-year, $1.5 million contract after the team declined to tender him for over $3 million. But with his health in question, the front office may look elsewhere to fill the TE3 role. Free agency could provide a veteran stopgap, and the draft always offers developmental options.
Then there’s Josh Whyle. The second-year tight end didn’t see a ton of action in 2025, logging just five catches on six targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in eight games.
But the coaching staff seems to like his potential-particularly as a pass catcher. And while that’s the part of his game that gets the headlines, Whyle’s value as a run blocker shouldn’t be overlooked.
According to data cited from Green Bay’s own internal evaluations, the Packers averaged 0.10 more yards per carry when Whyle was on the field. That’s a subtle but meaningful difference in a league where small margins often separate wins from losses. Compare that to FitzPatrick, whose presence reportedly correlated with a 0.32-yard drop in yards per carry, and it becomes clear that Whyle might be the more well-rounded option moving forward.
The TE3 spot isn’t going to dominate offseason headlines, but it’s a role that matters-especially in Matt LaFleur’s offense, which leans heavily on multi-tight end sets to disguise formations and establish the run. If Kraft isn’t ready for Week 1, depth becomes even more critical.
Whether the Packers stick with Whyle, take a flyer on a healthy FitzPatrick, or bring in a new face altogether, expect this front office to make a move. It won’t be the flashiest decision of the offseason, but it could quietly shape how effective this offense is in 2026.