Tight Ends Michael Mayer of the Raiders and Tucker Kraft of the Packers Got Contract Extensions
The 2026 NFL season got underway on Wednesday night with a rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks. However, there were at least two teams with some unfinished business. Both teams handled that business and got two offensive weapons signed to new deals. Tight ends Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders and Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers got contract extensions. Both tight ends joined the NFL at the same time and are now enjoying their first extensions in the league.
Mayer was selected by the Raiders in the second round (35th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has started in 32 of 38 games in his three-year career. Additionally, he totaled 83 receptions for 788 receiving yards (9.5 avg.) and three touchdowns. Mayer 9.5 yards per reception average ranks 33rd in the NFL among tight ends since 2023 (min. 75 rec.). Last season he set career highs in receptions (35) and receiving yards (328) with one touchdown. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games with eight starts and totaled 21 catches for 156 yards.
However, Mayer slimmed down over the off season to become more effective. He hopes that will make him more of an offensive threat in the passing game. At any rate, NFL Insider Adam Schefter provided the details of the deal. It is a three-year, $45 million extension with $30 million guaranteed.
As for Tucker Kraft, he was selected by the Packers in the third round (No. 78 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. According to NFL Insider, Adam Schefter: “Green Bay Packers and star tight end Tucker Kraft reaching agreement on a four-year contract extension with a base value of $75 million one day before the season opener.”
Tight Ends Michael Mayer of the Raiders and Tucker Kraft of the Packers Got Contract Extensions
In Kraft’s first three seasons, he has played in 42 games with 33 starts and has started all three postseason contests he has appeared in. He has registered 113 receptions for 1,551 yards (13.7 avg.) and 15 touchdowns in the regular season and hauled in 10 passes for 50 yards (5.0 avg.) and a TD in the postseason. In addition, Kraft posted the most receiving yards and the second-most receptions by a Packers tight end in his first three seasons in the NFL (since 1970).
Both the Raiders and Packers played on Sunday in Week 1. It proved to be a good opening game for the Las Vegas Raiders but not so much for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers had been in control of the game against the Minnesota Vikings. But the wheels fell off in the fourth quarter, and they lost to the Vikings 39-22. Whereas all three phases of the game contributed to the Raiders’ 27-13 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. Mayer serves as insurance for the Raiders with their top tight end Brock Bowers being out for a game or two.
Congratulations to both tight ends on their new contracts!
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