Packers’ tight end room is unexpectedly versatile despite earlier plans

# How the room actually looks Green Bay's 2026 tight end room is more of a patchwork that works. Instead of a straight pairing of Musgrave and Kraft, the unit blends Kraft's receiving upside with several versatile role players who can line up in multiple positions.

• Jonnu Smith: A late‑camp signing who made an immediate splash with a single long catch (43 yards) that outpaced Musgrave's longest regular‑season catch across his Packers career. Smith also played 32 snaps in Week 1, aligning in‑line, as an H‑back/wing, in the slot and out wide. That level of alignment flexibility is valuable even if the reception could be an outlier.

• Mark Redman and Josh Whyle: Both added depth and versatility. Redman worked as a traditional in‑line Y and saw snaps as a fullback, while Whyle also took snaps aligned as a fullback. Those roles increase schematic options for run and pass packages.

# What Week 1 usage suggests Per Sumer Sports, the Packers ran 31 plays with two or more tight ends on the field in Week 1 (21 plays in 12 personnel, 10 plays in 13). Some of that was dictated by the opponent's tendencies and game plan, but it signals that tight ends will be a meaningful part of the offensive approach early in the season. Using multiple tight ends gives Green Bay options: max‑protection for pass plays, additional blockers for running schemes, and matchup‑based deployment in the intermediate and deep passing game.

# Upside and limits of the current mix The room's upside centers on Kraft's receiving capability. Outside of Kraft's consistent deep work and Smith's isolated big play, the group hasn't shown explosive receiving output collectively. Their strength is versatility: personnel packages that can move tight ends into H‑back, fullback, slot, and in‑line roles. That helps with scheme flexibility and situational play calling.

# What to watch next

# Bottom line Green Bay didn't get the clean Musgrave–Kraft two‑headed outcome it drafted for in 2023. Instead, the team assembled a practical, multifaceted tight end room centered on Kraft's receiving and a group of veterans and backups who increase alignment and personnel flexibility. The approach may not produce explosive receiving depth beyond Kraft, but it gives the offense multiple schematic tools early in 2026.