Three Big Questions Facing the Green Bay Packers at Tight End Entering 2025

The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the tight ends. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, for running backs, click here and click here for linebackers. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at tight end entering training camp in 2025:

The Projected Candidates: Starter: Tucker Kraft; Backups: Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, John FitzPatrick; Fighting for roster spots: Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Tight End, Number One: Will Tucker Kraft Break Out?

Tucker Kraft caught 50 passes for 707 yards last season after taking over as the team’s starting tight end. The former South Dakota State star also led the Packers with seven touchdown catches.

Kraft remains one of the toughest tight ends to tackle one-on-one. As a result, he specializes in making short passes into longer gains. This season, head coach Matt LaFleur indicated he wanted to get Kraft more involved in downfield passes and not just on check downs.

Kraft has improved in each of his first two NFL seasons. If he takes another step forward in year three, he is capable of performing at a Pro Bowl level and maybe even leading the team in catches. This could give quarterback Jordan Love the go-to receiver he has lacked since becoming the starter.

Number Two: Can Luke Musgrave Stay Healthy?

In 2023, the Packers selected Luke Musgrave in the second round of the draft. One round later, they added Kraft. Musgrave picked up the offense quicker than Kraft and earned the starting job before injuries disrupted his career.

He missed most of the second half of 2023 after suffering from a lacerated kidney. In 2024, injuries limited Musgrave to just seven games and he caught just seven passes playing behind Kraft.

When healthy, Musgrave gives the Packers a downfield threat at tight end, something few teams possess. He needs to stay healthy this season and get his career back on track even if he remains the second option at the position.

If both of the team’s top two tight ends are healthy and productive, that would give LaFleur some more options on offense and it could rejuvenate Musgrave’s career.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Tight End, Number Three: Who Will Provide Depth?

The Packers have solid depth here but it’s not clear how many tight ends they will keep and how much the depth players will contribute on offense. How much these candidates contribute on special teams will be a big factor in who earns a roster spot.

Ben Sims has played all 34 games for the Packers over the last two seasons. He caught a total of eight passes while contributing on special teams as well. He has the most experience out of the players fighting for the third tight end spot.

John FitzPatrick filled in last season when Musgrave went down. He played nine games and caught one pass while playing mostly on special teams. He has outstanding size at 6’7” and 250 pounds and is back to fight for a roster spot again in 2025. His size makes him a big target. He is also a good blocker.

Messiah Swinson spent last season on the practice squad. He and Johnny Lumpkin will also fight for a roster spot if they can prove they can contribute on both special teams and offense.