Both the Green Bay Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft have publicly stated that they would like to complete a contract extension before Week 1. Well, the season opener is now just days away, and the two sides still haven't finished a deal -- at least officially, as of Thursday morning.
While there have been rumblings on social media about the Packers and Kraft getting to the finish line soon, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Thursday that the two sides remain "in discussions" on a new deal, and the phrase "bit of a standoff" was used to describe the negotiations.
From Fowler's blurb on ESPN: "This summer has featured complete market resets at cornerback and defensive tackle, and tight end could be next. It's the only offensive or defensive position
without a player making $20 million or more per season, but the Packers' Tucker Kraft is hoping to change that. He remains in discussions about a new contract, but it has been a bit of a standoff so far. Green Bay hopes to get something done by the end of Week 1, so perhaps urgency prevails here. If Kraft can get a deal above that $20 million threshold, that sets the stage for Detroit's Sam LaPorta. The Lions have interest in extending him, but his situation might carry into the season."
Kraft almost certainly wants to reset the tight end market after his sizzling start to the 2025 season, but it's possible the Packers are hesitant to reset the market with a player who hasn't played a single snap since suffering a major injury. Kraft tore his ACL in early November of last year and missed the rest of the season. He's healthy now and expected to be full-go for Week 1 on Sunday in Minneapolis.
Kraft's rookie contract is entering its last year. Can the Packers and Kraft agree to an extension that puts him in the $20 million per year range in new money?
As always, negotiations at the top of any positional market take time, but both sides want a new deal and are motivated to finish the deal. Kraft wants to play his career in Green Bay. The Packers know Kraft, a captain, is a foundational player to the franchise. It will get done, but getting to the finish line before Sunday still looks like a question mark. Obviously, there is a risk for the player in participating -- and risking another injury -- before getting the new deal, so it's possible Kraft's side is especially motivated to get something done before Sunday.
Deadlines spur action, as former Packers executive Andrew Brandt likes to say.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Will Packers and Tucker Kraft get a contract extension done before Week 1?
