GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft have agreed to a four-year, $75 million contract extension that runs through the 2030 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal includes a $26.5 million signing bonus and can reach a maximum value of $92 million, making Kraft the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
The extension carries a $19.66 million annual salary, which tops the market at the position. Per Spotrac, it moves ahead of George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers ($19.1M), Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals ($19M), Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons ($18M) and Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders ($15M). Both sides had pushed to get a deal done, with the only question whether it would land before Week 1 or linger into the season.
Kraft, 25, is coming off a breakout 2024 season in which he caught 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. He was on pace for career highs last season before suffering a torn ACL in Week 9, finishing eight games with 489 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Since 2000, only Rob Gronkowski and Mark Andrews join Kraft in recording at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns over their first three NFL seasons.
A 78th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of South Dakota State, Kraft is now entering his fourth NFL season. He is fully recovered from the ACL injury and is good to go as Green Bay opens the season against the Minnesota Vikings.