Packers could look for additional tight-end depth as season nears, focus turns to Tucker Kraft

The Green Bay Packers enter the stretch of training camp and preseason preparation with a clear strength at tight end, but the conversation coming out of the team’s depth chart suggests general manager Brian Gutekunst may still look for answers at the position behind starter Tucker Kraft.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers could add more tight-end depth through a trade or waivers as the season draws closer. The reported idea is not about replacing Kraft, but about building a more reliable rotation behind him, particularly in a league where tight ends are asked to contribute in multiple roles across blocking schemes, pass routes, and matchup packages.

Kraft is the anchor of the position for Green Bay and has been viewed as a legitimate part of the offense rather than a pure specialist. Pro Football Rumors’ look at the situation frames him as the Packers’ “top-level” starting tight end, which sets the baseline for why the focus is on the remaining spots on the roster.

The same report also points to Kraft’s recent path and production expectations. It notes that Kraft had been tracking toward a career year in 2025 before a torn ligament, implying that his availability and continuity are central to Green Bay’s plans for the position. Without adding specifics beyond what the report states, the overall takeaway is that the Packers are likely thinking about contingency and durability even when the starter is their best option.

That makes the internal question straightforward: what happens to the offense if Kraft’s workload is managed more heavily than in a full-health stretch, or if the supporting cast is not ready for regular-season snaps at the level the team needs? In the Packers’ case, the tight end position typically affects the passing game’s timing and the run game’s structure, because tight ends often serve as mid-point leverage blockers and short-area route options.

Depth at tight end also has practical value for playcalling. Even if the Packers’ base personnel stays tight-end prominent, the weekly game plan frequently calls for different blocking looks and route combinations based on the opponent. A roster with limited usable options behind the starter can force a team to simplify, keep certain packages off the field, or rely on players who are still developing in live-game reads.

As the season approaches, the next report to watch is whether Green Bay actually pursues an external option rather than counting on internal candidates to seize the remaining roles. If the Packers do look outward, it would align with Demovsky’s report that a trade or waivers approach could be on the table, and it would reflect the same front-office mindset teams adopt when a key position has a strong lead but uncertainty lower down the depth chart.