Greg Rosenthal at NFL.com just stirred the pot big time, dropping Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft at #3 on his list of top 25 possible free agents for the 2027 class. This isn’t some casual ranking either, the dude’s contract is expiring, and his future in Green Bay is suddenly the hottest topic in the league.
The Clock is Ticking for Green Bay’s Front Office
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has been crystal clear this offseason: he wants Kraft locked down long-term before the 2026 regular season even kicks off. But crickets, man, absolute crickets on a new deal so far. Only Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens, who just got slapped with a $27.3 million franchise tag, are ranked ahead of Kraft. Both the Packers and Kraft have apparently expressed confidence that a deal will get done soon, but talk is cheap when the money isn’t signed.
Kraft’s Rare Value in a Tight Market
Rosenthal isn’t wrong about Kraft’s value either. This guy, all 6-foot-5, 259 pounds of him, is a complete tight end, which is rare these days. Even after an ACL tear last November, the man’s back at full practice, ready to roll. The only other tight end to even crack Rosenthal’s top 25 list is Detroit Lion Sam LaPorta, making their contract situations a fascinating race. After Kyle Pitts’ three-year, $54 million extension, the tight end market is heating up. George Kittle leads at $19.1 million per year, followed by Trey McBride at $19 million, Pitts at $18 million, and Isaiah Likely at $13.3 million. It feels like both Kraft and LaPorta are set to get more than Pitts, maybe even resetting the whole tight end market.
The clock is absolutely ticking for Gutekunst to get this done. With their cap getting tight in 2027, the Packers aren’t gonna be splashing cash in free agency, meaning holding onto their own talent like Kraft is even more critical. There’s no news on the negotiations, so it’s a waiting game to see if Green Bay can secure their man or if Kraft hits the open market next year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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