Matt Johnson
The Green Bay Packers didn’t spend much money this offseason, opting to rely more heavily on their draft-and-develop philosophy ahead of the 2026 NFL season. A few of those homegrown players are also reportedly under consideration for contract extensions.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, wide receiver Christian Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft are among the Packers players who the team wants to sign to long-term extensions this year.
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Wyatt, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is entering the final season of his rookie contract with a $12.938 million salary that is fully guaranteed this year. A long-term deal could reduce that cap hit, but Green Bay would be taking a slight risk since 2025 was the first time Wyatt played 60 percent of the snaps and he’s currently recovering from a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle.
He’s not the only player coming off surgery who could land an extension this summer. Kraft, who is working his way back from an ACL tear suffered in Week 9, is also an extension candidate for Green Bay. He played at an All-Pro level prior to his injury and would seemingly be in line for a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.
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- Tucker Kraft stats (2025): 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns and 15.3 yards per reception in eight games
Realistically, a multi-year extension for Kraft would likely push north of the $13.333 million average annual value that Isaiah Likely signed for this offseason with the New York Giants.
As for Watson, there’s a direct comparison for what a multi-year deal with him might cost. The Indianapolis Colts re-signed Alec Pierce to a four-year contract worth $114 million, a $28.5 million AAV. While durability remains a concern for Watson, he is similar to Pierce in terms of his playmaking.
While those are the primary players the Packers want to extend long-term, others are reportedly under consideration. Silverstein noted that Green Bay “may consider extending” defensive tackle Karl Brooks and wide receiver Jayden Reed later this year. The club could also opt to decline the fifth-year option on edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and instead attempt to sign him to a contract extension.
