Matt Johnson
The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Jayden Reed to a three-year contract extension in April, ensuring another key part of their offense would remain in the fold for years to come. With summer practices right around the corner, we could see a few other Packers players land contract extensions.
Let’s take a quick stab at what contract extensions may look like for Tucker Kraft, Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Christian Watson.
Tucker Kraft
If Tucker Kraft doesn’t suffer an ACL tear against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, there’s a good chance he would’ve received some second-team All-Pro votes in 2025. Green Bay’s standout tight end totaled 489 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns in eight games games. Among tight ends with 40-plus targets, he led his peers in yards per reception (15.3) and yards per route run (2.56). While there is some added risk with Kraft coming off an ACL tear, it’s worth signing him to a long-term deal now rather than waiting until after his contract expires. Given Kyle Pitts just signed the franchise tag at $15.045 million, an extension will probably cost more. We think a four-year deal that makes Kraft one of the three highest-paid tight ends in the NFL could get it done, with Green Bay working in bonus structures based on Kraft’s health.
- Prediction: 4 years, $68 million ($17 million AAV) with $40 million total guaranteed
Related: Green Bay Packers Players Who Could Break Out in 2026
Devonte Wyatt
Selected by Green Bay with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it’s taken some time for defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt to really establish himself. He was on pace to record five-plus sacks in a season for the third consecutive year before suffering a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle. Assuming he makes a full recovery, Green Bay will have an interior pass-rushing specialist who is still a bargain on his fifth-year option salary of $13.922 million. The going rate for pass-rushing interior penetrators has risen in recent years, demonstrated by the fact that 13 defensive tackles now have deals worth $20-plus million per season. Realistically, Wyatt should beat the Javon Kinlaw deal ($45 million over three years) by a hefty margin, with Zach Sieler ($21.333 million AAV) potentially being a higher-end target for a deal.
- Prediction: 3 years, $62 million ($20.6 million AAV)
Related: Green Bay Packers Who May Be on Roster Bubble in 2026
Christian Watson
It might be fair to say that the Packers wish they would’ve signed Christian Watson to a contract extension before Alec Pierce re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Watson does have durability issues working against him, but he’s also put up 1,231 receiving yards and averaged 19.2 yards per reception in his last 25 games over the past two seasons. He’s headed into a contract year and the fact that Green Bay didn’t use any draft capital on a receiver suggests that Brian Gutekunst has long-term plans for Watson in Matt LaFleur’s offense. We tend to believe a deal could get worked out this summer, but it’s going to cost a lot more than some anticipate.
- Prediction: 3 years, $85.5 million with $65 million total guarantees
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Lukas Van Ness
Lukas Van Ness hasn’t exactly reached the expectations the Packers front office placed on him when he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In 43 career games, he’s managed just 34 pressures, 23 QB hits, 17 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. Green Bay did, however, exercise his option for the 2027 season at $13.8 million fully guaranteed. It certainly suggests the coaching staff still has a lot of confidence in him, especially with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon taking over. We think there could be something similar done to what happened in 2023 with Jordan Love, when he was signed to a one-year extension.
- Prediction: 1 year, $15 million extension
