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We’re back at it to break down the Green Bay Packers’ tight ends going into the summer. If you missed it, we’ve already hit the quarterback and receiver positions. Tight end is an interesting position, as general manager Brian Gutekunst admitted that the team was hoping to land a true Y tight end in the draft, but the Day 2 run at the position left them pivoting to other players. Since the draft, the team has attempted to sign two tight ends whose physicals failed.
Expect them to continue to churn the bottom of this position group through the cutdown deadline.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has said that TE1 Tucker Kraft is “right on schedule” with his ACL recovery. For reference, it took receiver Christian Watson 294 days to go from tearing his ACL to playing in another football game. For Kraft, 294 days from his torn ACL would be August 23rd, right after the second preseason game. Remember, Watson practiced for a few weeks before playing in that game, too, so assume we’re going to see Kraft in practice at some point in training camp.
When he’s healthy, Kraft is one of the best all-around tight ends in football, producing both as a pass-catcher and making an impact as a run blocker. Without a doubt, he’ll be TE1 on the team when he returns to the field.
The 2023 second-round pick’s career hasn’t gone as planned. Luke Musgrave was eventually passed on the depth chart full-time by Kraft in 2024 after Musgrave made a majority of the team’s starts as a rookie. Over the last two years, he’s caught just 31 balls, fewer than he posted in 2023 (34).
The Packers actually tried to shop Musgrave around the trade deadline, per sources, but when Kraft went down and Ben Sims (now with the Dolphins) was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings (Green Bay was trying to get Sims back on the practice squad), it left the team short at numbers at the position.
Throughout his career, Musgrave has been used as a true Y tight end, despite not being great in the blocking game. Truthfully, he’s better off being split outside to allow more receivers to play in the slot — as he can create separation on in-breaking routes — but Green Bay has just never leaned into that aspect of his game.
Going into the year, Musgrave will likely be the Y2 on the team and make starts if Kraft ever misses time.
The Packers picked up Josh Whyle after the cutdown deadline in 2025, bringing him onto the practice squad before promoting him to the 53-man roster. By the end of the year, with Tucker Kraft out, Green Bay actually chose to play Whyle in obvious passing situations over Luke Musgrave, which is important to note moving forward.
Whyle is more of a move tight end, a guy who can line up in the backfield or in the...
