Packers close to extension with Kraft

The Green Bay Packers could sign tight end Tucker Kraft to a contract extension before the start of the NFL season.  Kraft continues to make progress from last season’s ACL injury, and extension talks are underway between the Packers and Kraft’s agents.  A new deal could be in place in the next several days, and it could be worth more than $20,000,000 per season.  Kraft is entering his fourth NFL season, and in eight games last season, he caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns.  He now has 113 receptions for 1551 yards and 15 touchdowns in 42 career games.  The Packers are thin at tight end, as Luke Musgrave will open the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list while he recovers from a neck injury.  To give the team some depth at tight end, the Packers signed Jonnu Smith.  Smith is a nine-year NFL veteran, with Tennessee, New England, Atlanta, Miami and Pittsburgh, and has 345 career catches for 3529 yards and 30 touchdowns.  He played all 17 games for the Steelers last season, and caught 38 passes, but he caught a career high 88 passes for Miami in 2024.