Green Bay, Wisconsin
Just hours after an MRI confirmed a torn ACL, the Packers placed Tucker Kraft on Injured Reserve and indicated they would keep his salary structure intact
as a nod to his early-season contributions. Kraft unexpectedly declined that “privilege,” and instead asked to restructure his deal to meaningfully lower his current cap hit.
According to internal discussions, Kraft’s proposal includes
converting a portion of base salary to a signing bonus, adding void years, and tuning certain incentives to ease the immediate cap pressure. His sole objective: create budget room so Green Bay can close out the David Njoku negotiations, which are entering a delicate stage.
Kraft on his decision: “I’ve always said It’s about the team first. A restructure might not move the numbers a ton, but I still want to help this group. He would be the perfect choice for the Packers,I’ve met him several times and I believe he’s an excellent fit for Green Bay.”
From a football standpoint, Njoku brings seam-stretching threat, after-the-catch power (YAC), and red-zone finishing—the very lanes Kraft had been excelling in before the injury. A Njoku–Luke Musgrave
tandem would let the Packers expand 12-personnel, RPO, and play-action packages, preserving the vertical spine of the offense Kraft helped define.
Head coach Matt LaFleur offered measured support: “It’s unfortunate for him. Tucker has been working extremely hard and showing real progress. These are harsh moments for a rising star, but we believe he’ll attack the rehab with the mindset of a true professional.”
Procedurally, the Packers finalize the IR move first; then—if both sides agree on specifics—they’ll file a restructure addendum with the league to comply with the CBA. Once cap space is freed, Green Bay gains
financial flexibility to structure Njoku’s incoming salary if a trade is reached.
Inside the locker room, Kraft’s move is viewed as a statement of responsibility: instead of clinging to personal protections, he
put the team first on day one of a long rehab. As one veteran put it: “We’ll try to turn that spirit into an edge on Sundays.”
Bottom line: Kraft’s season ends far sooner than anyone hoped, but his impact
doesn’t stop at the sideline. If the restructure is completed and David Njoku arrives, the Packers will carry forward with the quiet imprint of a young tight end who chose a small sacrifice in service of a greater good.
