The Packers‘ offense was dealt a crushing blow when emerging star tight end Tucker Kraft tore his ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Kraft departs as the Packers’ leading receiver, with 32 catches for 489 yards and six catches, creating a major void in quarterback Jordan Love’s target hierarchy and head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.
How Packers’ Brian Gutekunst can replace Tucker Kraft via trade
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur survey practice during Family Night on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
While the Packers will likely turn to Luke Musgrave as a ‘next-man-up’ to replace Kraft, general manager Brian Gutekunst has the opportunity to mine the trade market to add a tight end to either add depth or a playmaker capable of making a significant impact in an offense in desperate need of it in Kraft’s absence.
Here’s a look at some potential trade targets the Packers could pursue to replace Kraft:
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders – The Commanders’ blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night, combined with Jayden Daniels’ season likely coming to an end with a dislocated elbow, likely closes to books on Washington’s chances of making the playoffs this season.
Ertz, 34, is a steady veteran presence with a Super Bowl ring on his finger who has been in the midst of one of the most dominant stretches of his career over the past two seasons. At Ertz’s age, and given the trajectory of the Commanders’ season, the chance to chase a ring could be one he finds alluring for the Packers.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons – Pitts has yet to live up to his billing as a former first-round draft choice, and the Falcons could look to move on ahead of the deadline, in favor of adding some draft capital.
A freakish athlete who has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career, Pitts has caught 239 passes for 3,033 yards and 11 touchdowns. A duo of Pitts and Musgrave could be a formidable one.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens – If the Ravens make Mark Andrews available, he could be the prize of the tight end market, ahead of the trade deadline.
Andrews is as steadily and reliable as they come, and has long been a pillar of the Raven’s offense and quarterback Lamar Jackson’s supporting cast. However, Isaiah Likely is beginning to emerge as a reliable playmaker. The fact that Andrews is in the final year of his contract makes him likely to be traded, and he would be a prototypical fit for Love’s arsenal and LaFleur’s scheme.
Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores a touchdown against Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images