Negotiations between the Green Bay Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft went down to the wire, but the sides agreed on a contract extension just in time for the start of the 2026 season. Kraft will sign a four-year, $75 million extension to become the NFL's third-highest-paid tight end on a per-year basis, according to ESPN.
The contract carries an average annual value of $18.75 million, which ranks just behind that of San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle and Arizona Cardinals standout Trey McBride. Incentives can make the deal worth up to $92 million, and it comes with a $26.5 million signing bonus.
There was some thought that Kraft could reset the tight end market when he eventually secured his first massive contract, but while the deal places him in the top tier of earners at the position, the market still awaits its first $20 million salary. If a tight end is to finally break that threshold, it could be either Sam LaPorta or Brock Bowers, who are next in line to receive life-changing money.
Kraft has been among the most pleasant surprises from the middle rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft class. The third-rounder made an impact as a rookie but fully broke out in his second year when he became an every-week starter and amassed 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. A torn ACL cut his 2025 campaign short after just eight games, but he was well on his way to setting new career highs in every category, as he was on pace for more than 60 catches, 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.
