Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love, Lukas Van Ness
Packers Make Major $75 Million Update on Jordan Love's Key Safety Valve 1
The Green Bay Packers are looking to erase last season’s gutting 31-27 wild card loss to the Chicago Bears, and fixing the passing game was step one. That effort started with Packers QB Jordan Love, who spent the offseason building trust with his top target, and that bond just earned a serious vote of confidence from the front office.
Now that decision is starting to pay off, and what Green Bay just did with one of Love’s most reliable weapons could shape the entire offense this season.
Packers lock up Tucker Kraft with record Tight End deal
Green Bay made its intentions clear one day before kickoff. The Packers signed tight end Tucker Kraft to a four-year contract extension worth $75 million in guaranteed base value, according to multiple reports. The deal can max out at $92 million and includes a $26.5 million signing bonus, the richest bonus ever given to a tight end.
Packers, TE Tucker Kraft reached agreement on a four-year, $75 million extension worth up to $92 million that includes a $26.5 million signing bonus. (via @adamschefter, @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/TBLr1edbXQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2026
The extension keeps Kraft in Green Bay through the 2030 season. His new deal carries an average salary of $18.75 million a year, putting him just behind San Francisco’s George Kittle and Arizona’s Trey McBride among the league’s highest-paid players at his position.
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates his touchdown reception during the second quarter of their game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn ImagesOct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates his touchdown reception during the second quarter of their game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates his touchdown reception during the second quarter of their game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images
Kraft was in the middle of a breakout year before a torn ACL cut his 2025 season short in November. Through nine games, he caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that had him on pace for a career year. He has since fully recovered and is expected to play in Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
The signing continues a busy offseason for general manager Brian Gutekunst, who has now locked up several core players, including wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.
But the timing of this extension says just as much about where Green Bay’s season is headed.
Jordan Love stays confident heading into season opener
Kraft’s extension arrives at a big moment for quarterback Jordan Love. Even without All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is still working his way back from offseason knee surgery, Love has stayed confident that Green Bay’s offense will be ready for Sunday’s opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Love threw for 3,381 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, and he now gets a full offseason to build chemistry with a healthy Kraft. Gutekunst had hinted for months that a deal was coming.
Gutekunst previously said per ESPN, “these things take time.”
Green Bay also finalized extensions for Watson and Reed earlier this offseason, giving Love a deep and settled group of weapons heading into the year.
With Kraft healthy and locked up long term, the Packers head into their opener with a fully loaded offense. Green Bay opens the season on the road against Kyler Murray and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, looking for a much better finish than last year.
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