The Green Bay Packers make it a habit to sign players they identify as part of their core to second contracts. On rare occasions, they even sign players to a third contract. But who will GM Brian Gutekunst sign to an extension next? Here is a list of Packers candidates to sign the next big contract extension. To be eligible, players have to have an expiring deal after the 2026 season. The player in question must also be a major one, not a fringe roster player signing a one-year contract for another crack at making the roster.

Which Packers Are Candidates to Sign the Next Big Contract Extension in 2026, Number Three: DT Devonte Wyatt

Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt will play the 2026 campaign on his fifth-year option. To stay in Green Bay beyond this season, he will need to sign a new contract.

Wyatt provides the team with pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the interior defensive line. That is a difficult skill to find in the modern NFL. However, there are some questions regarding Wyatt’s chances of signing a new deal with the Pack.

For one, he is coming off a major, season-ending injury and has to prove he is fully healthy and productive before the Packers want to sign him. The team also added an alternative interior pass rusher in Javon Hargrave.

Wyatt was also older when he was drafted so he will turn 29 before the 2027 season. The Packers may be more hesitant to sign him to a long-term deal as a result.

We’ll see if Gutekunst decides to sign Wyatt to a new deal. He may need a strong 2026 season to lock that up.

Number Two: TE Tucker Kraft

Like Wyatt, tight end Tucker Kraft will be returning from a major injury that ended his 2025 season early. Kraft suffered a torn ACL in the eighth game of the season against the Carolina Panthers.

Kraft was on pace to become the first Packers tight end to gain 1,000 or more yards in a season when he was injured and was playing at a Pro Bowl level. Because of the injury, Gutekunst may want to wait and see how Kraft looks on the field early in the season before committing to a long-term deal with his star tight end.

Kraft developed into one of the best tight ends in the game at running with the ball after the catch. He is difficult to bring down one-on-one and often turns short passes into longer gains. He has also become a favorite target of quarterback Jordan Love in the red zone.

Because the Packers have less depth at wide receiver than last season, Kraft may play an even bigger role in the offense in 2026 if he stays healthy. There is no doubt the team has prioritized signing him to a new deal, but when they choose to do that and whether or not Gutekunst can reach an agreement with Kraft’s agent remains to be seen.

Which Packers Are Candidates to Sign the Next Big Contract Extension in 2026, Number One: WR Christian Watson

Christian Watson emerged last season as the Packers number one wide receiver. After missing the first six games as he recovered from a torn ACL, he developed into a more complete receiver. Watson’s hands improved and his route running was more consistent. He also was effective on short and intermediate passes, not just going deep for long bombs.

Because of Watson’s unique combination of size and speed, he commands the attention of defenses. Even when he doesn’t get the ball, Watson forces opposing defenses to roll their coverage towards him and that can create single-coverage opportunities for his teammates.

Watson finished last season healthy but has yet to play a season in the NFL without missing games due to injury. He seems to be on the brink of a breakout year but has yet to put together the Pro Bowl season his talent suggests he is capable of.

Watson is likely the team’s top priority as far as extensions go, but he will also likely be the most expensive of the group. We’ll see whether Gutekunst can sign him to a new deal this season.

 

 

 

 

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