The Green Bay Packers have started OTAs this week without one of their most important offensive players on the field practicing with them. That reality shows one of the more fascinating storylines of the offseason for the Green Bay Packers this summer.
Star tight end Tucker Kraft is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 last season. While there is healthy optimism that Kraft will be ready to come back early this season, he is not expected to participate in OTAs or mandatory minicamp. That leaves a major opportunity for the rest of Green Bay’s tight end room to step up and prove they can handle bigger responsibilities.
And honestly, they need to. Because Kraft was not just productive in 2025. He was becoming one of the best tight ends in football before his injury stopped him in his tracks.
Packers Tight Ends OTAs Will Spotlight Life Without Tucker Kraft
Before tearing his ACL midseason, Kraft was having a season unlike any other pass catcher in Green Bay in recent years.
In eight games, the former South Dakota State product had 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. He was on track for over 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, which would have ranked him among the best single-season tight end performances in franchise history.
The advanced numbers were even more impressive. Among tight ends who received meaningful targets, Kraft ranked first in passer rating when targeted, first in yards after catch per reception, and first in yards per catch. Whether it was running through defenders after the catch or serving as a reliable blocker in the run game, Kraft became the centerpiece of Matt LaFleur’s offense. And when he went down, you could see how the offense noticeably lost some of its burst and energy.
Luke Musgrave Has the Most to Prove
With Kraft out of the picture, all of the spotlight and pressure go to Luke Musgrave. When the Packers drafted Musgrave in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, many believed and thought he would become the team’s long-term answer at tight end. Early flashes during his rookie season suggested exactly that. Then things changed for the worse for his career.
A kidney injury late in 2023 opened the door for Kraft, and Kraft never gave the role back. Musgrave had another chance in 2025 after Kraft’s ACL injury but struggled to capitalize, finishing with only 24 catches for 252 yards and zero touchdowns despite appearing in all 17 games.
The numbers become even harder to ignore when considering that Kraft played more offensive snaps in roughly half a season than Musgrave did across an entire year. This offseason feels pivotal for Musgrave’s future in Green Bay.
Josh Whyle Could Quietly Carve Out a Bigger Role
While Musgrave grabs most of the attention and spotlight, Josh Whyle may quietly be one of the more important players in this room. He joined Green Bay after being released by the Tennessee Titans and eventually worked his way onto the active roster following Kraft’s injury. His production was modest (five catches for 36 yards and one touchdown), but coaches appreciated his versatility on the field.
Whyle can contribute in multiple areas, whether lining up inline, moving around the formation, or helping in specific blocking situations. If Kraft starts the season on any kind of snap count, Whyle could be in line for meaningful reps.
Who is Going to Be the Blocking Tight End?
One storyline that has been swept under the rug is the search for a traditional blocking tight end. Kraft can handle those responsibilities, but asking him to carry a heavy blocking workload immediately after returning from a major knee injury may not be realistic or smart. Last season, much of that role belonged to John FitzPatrick before he suffered a torn Achilles and eventually left the roster.
Green Bay has recently tried to address the position this offseason but came up short. Undrafted rookie Eni Falayi and waiver addition Luke Lachey both failed physicals, leaving the room thin. But that could create an opportunity for the Arizona State product, Messiah Swinson.
Swinson, who comes in at 259 pounds and is 6′ 7″, fits the size profile Green Bay is looking for. After spending time with the Panthers, 49ers, and Cardinals organizations, as well as bouncing around practice squads, he now has the opportunity to establish a significant role for the team as he enters his third season.
Keep an Eye on Rookie RJ Maryland
One of the more exciting under-the-radar names in Green Bay’s offseason program is undrafted rookie RJ Maryland. The former SMU tight end enters the league more as a receiving weapon than a “traditional” tight end. At 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds with 4.51 speed, Maryland moves more like a big slot receiver than an inline blocker.
After finishing his college career with 113 receptions, nearly 1,500 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns, he brings impressive production. OTAs may provide the first showing of whether Green Bay believes he has the potential to develop into a significant offensive player in the future, even though he’s unlikely to compete for significant snaps immediately.
Final Thoughts
The Packers hope Kraft returns early in the season and quickly reclaims his role as one of the NFL’s premier tight ends. Still, hope does not eliminate questions.
Without Kraft on the practice field this spring, Green Bay suddenly has an evaluation period that feels far more important than a typical round of offseason practices. Musgrave is trying to revive his trajectory. Whyle wants a larger role. Swinson may have a chance to secure a niche job, while rookie Maryland begins his push to make the roster.
