A Cheesehead favorite just got a little more cheddar.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft cashed in on the eve of Week 1, signing a four-year, $75 million contract extension, with a total value up to $92 million, per multiple reports.
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At its max value, that makes Kraft the highest-paid tight end in the NFL at $23 million per year. The deal also includes a $26.5 million signing bonus.
Kraft, 26, has quickly emerged as one of the game’s preeminent tight ends, but played in limited action in 2025, with an ACL tear that cut his season short. Prior to the injury, Kraft was on pace for a career year, grabbing six touchdowns in eight games, one shy of tying a career high.
Kraft was set to hit free agency following the 2026 season. Instead, he’ll be part of the Packers’ passing attack and remain a favorite of quarterback Jordan Love instead.
Here’s what to know about Kraft’s new contract:
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
1. Arizona Cardinals – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
1. Arizona Cardinals – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
(Scott Wachter, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
2. Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
(Samantha Madar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
3. Cleveland Browns – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
(Ben Lonergan, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
4. Tennessee Titans – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
5. New York Giants – Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
(Michael Caterina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
6. Atlanta Falcons – CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
8. New York Jets – Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (Fla.)
(Jim Dedmon, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
9. Washington Commanders – Colin Simmons, DE/OLB, Texas
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
10. Carolina Panthers – Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
11. New Orleans Saints – Dylan Stewart, DE/OLB, South Carolina
(Jeff Blake, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
12. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
(SARAH PHIPPS, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
30. Houston Texans – Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
(Bob Kupbens, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
31. Baltimore Ravens – Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
(Joseph Cress, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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NFL mock draft for 2027 features four top-10 quarterbacks
32. Browns (from Los Angeles Rams) – Justin Scott, DT, Miami (Fla.)
(Mark J. Rebilas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Tucker Kraft contract details
The Packers tight end put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal worth $75 million, with a total value up to $92 million, according to reports.
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The deal includes $26.5 million in guarantees, structured as a signing bonus.
The $92 million max figure is the highest overall for a tight end. The $23 million per year figure (if max value is reached) is the highest among the position, as well.
Why it matters
Kraft is quickly emerging as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. An unfortunate ACL tear cut his 2025 season short, but the South Dakota State University product was in the midst of a career year before the the injury. Kraft tallied six touchdowns in eight games, one shy of tying his career high. He also notched 32 receptions in the eight games he played.
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The NFL’s shift towards heavier 12- and 13-personnel usage means the tight end position will be more valued. That much is evidenced by Kraft’s contract, and others around the NFL, including George Kittle’s 2025 extension which previously set a record.
It also gets the Packers ahead of free agency. Kraft, a third-round pick, was entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal. That means the Packers won’t be pressed to scour the draft or free agency for a top tight end come next year – a major boost for Jordan Love and Co.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Packers tight end becomes highest paid in NFL with new contract
