Tucker Kraft, Michael Mayer join highest-paid tight ends with contract extensions

Just over a day prior to their 2026 opening games, tight ends Tucker Kraft and Michael Mayer both reached lucrative new agreements. The Green Bay Packers finalized a four-year extension with Kraft worth $75 million, which includes a $26.5 million signing bonus and performance clauses that could push the total to $92 million.

Averaging $18.75 million per season, the third-round selection from the 2023 draft now ranks behind only George Kittle and Trey McBride among the league's top-earning tight ends. After logging 707 receiving yards and seven scores in his second campaign, Kraft suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear eight contests into 2025 while tracking toward more than 60 receptions, 1,000 yards, and a dozen scores.

Before that setback, he topped his position group with 344 yards after the catch and 15.3 yards per catch, while posting 489 receiving yards and sharing second place with six touchdowns. His production placed him alongside Rob Gronkowski and Mark Andrews as the only tight ends since 2000 to accumulate 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns during their initial three seasons.

Shortly following Kraft's pact, the Las Vegas Raiders locked in Mayer with a three-year contract extension valued at $45 million. The former 2023 second-round draft choice secured $30 million guaranteed under the freshly finalized arrangement.

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