What a start to the season for our Hawks, pulling off a tight 13-10 win against the Patriots! But while we’re hyped for that W, there’s a wild contract situation brewing across the league that could totally redefine the tight end market. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler just dropped some serious Week 1 buzz about the Green Bay Packers and their tight end, Tucker Kraft, and let me tell you, it’s a full-blown standoff right as the regular season gets going.
The Green Bay Front Office Wanted This Done, Like, Yesterday
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear he wanted a deal with Kraft wrapped up before the regular season even started. So much for that plan, right? No contract is in place, and it feels like a big missed opportunity on their end. We’ve seen complete market resets for cornerbacks and defensive tackles this summer, and Fowler is hinting that tight end is absolutely next. Seriously, it’s the *only* offensive or defensive position out there without a player raking in $20 million or more per season. Kraft is apparently gunning to change that, which, you love to see that ambition! Discussions are still happening, but it’s been a bit of a stalemate. Green Bay really wants to get something done by the end of Week 1, so hopefully, that deadline lights a fire under everyone.
The Kraft and LaPorta Show: Who Sets The Benchmark?
$20 million a year for a tight end might sound wild, but if you look at the top contracts, it’s not even that huge a leap. Kyle Pitts just signed for $18 million a year, which automatically made everyone assume Kraft would get more. The real question is whether he’ll land somewhere around George Kittle’s $19.1 million or Trey McBride’s $19 million, or if he’s going to blow past them all and truly become the highest-paid tight end in the league. And yeah, this is all happening even with Kraft coming off an ACL tear! Talk about belief in your own value. According to Fowler, Kraft’s camp is absolutely “eyeing to ‘reset’” the market, even if it’s just by a million bucks or so. And get this: Detroit’s Sam LaPorta is the only other significant tight end heading into a contract year in 2026. With Pitts locked up, it really is “the Kraft and LaPorta show” for tight end extensions. The biggest unknown is who’s gonna sign first, and whether that first deal will just drive up the price for the second guy. Imagine the pressure!
The clock is ticking for the Packers to get this Kraft deal done by the end of Week 1. It’s not just about him; it’s about what it means for every tight end in the league, especially LaPorta. Here in the Emerald City, we’re buzzing from our own Week 1 victory, and it just makes you appreciate how much these early season storylines, on and off the field, can really shape a year. Go Hawks!
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.
Leave a Reply