Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst needs to learn from previous mistakes and get the Tucker Kraft deal over the line.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Packers hope to finalize an extension with Kraft this week, but negotiations have hit a "bit of a standoff."
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel took it a step further, writing that the two sides will need a "significant change in positions at the negotiating table" to get a deal done before the Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
That's a mistake.
It's starting to feel eerily similar to the Davante Adams situation five years ago. Everything seemed on track, until it wasn't, and it led to Adams' departure the following offseason.
In a 2024 episode of The Rush with Maxx Crosby, Adams said he had told the Packers he'd "ignore" the uncertainty over Aaron Rodgers' future if the two sides could negotiate a long-term extension before the 2022 season. The Packers' offer fell well short.
"They threw some deal at me that was like, barely made me even want to play for them that year," Adams said.
It was the beginning of the end. Contract negotiations broke off, Adams played out the final year of his deal, put up 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns, and then requested a trade to the Las Vegas Raiders.
There's no indication that Kraft will make a similar move, but Gutekunst is playing with fire. And he's already been burned before.
Why the Packers need to get the Tucker Kraft deal done before they take the field in Week 1
What more does Kraft have to prove? He has repeatedly shown why he's in the top tier at the tight end position. Last season, Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games before suffering a torn ACL. He was on an All-Pro trajectory.
Kraft is back, fully healthy, and not even on the Week 1 injury report. He is poised to deliver on his goal of playing a full complement of snaps and not needing a pitch count.
So, what's the holdup? It's frustrating from a Packers perspective, and it feels like a risky strategy after what happened with Adams.
After failing to agree on a deal before the 2022 regular season, Adams' team broke off negotiations, and he decided to risk the lack of long-term security by playing in a contract year. It soured his relationship with the Packers and led to his departure the following offseason.
That's not to say Kraft will take a similar approach, but nobody could blame him if he felt frustrated.
"I'm really leaving all this contract stuff. It's in the hands of my agent now. I've done all I can do this offseason, attacking my rehab, coming back, proving that I'm not afraid of any contact. I'm not afraid of anything," Kraft said last week. "I hope they see that. I'm not afraid to keep working and keep trying to make this team better."
"I will be on the field to play for the Green Bay Packers, regardless of any contract situation, because I love this team."
That will be music to Gutekunst's ears, but he can't take the situation for granted. Adams also played through the contract uncertainty. He never held out. He never caused any problems. But after delivering another All-Pro season, Adams headed for the exit.
That doesn't mean Kraft will follow in Adams' footsteps, but is Gutekunst willing to repeat the mistake he made five years ago?
Kraft is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He's 25 years old and can still reach an even higher level. He wants to stay in Green Bay, and the team wants Kraft to sign a long-term deal.
Will his new contract reset the market? Absolutely. As it should. But the Packers need to get this done before Week 1 and prove they've learned from one of their biggest mistakes of the Gutekunst era.
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