Is Luke Musgrave The Next Player The Green Bay Packers Will Trade?

The Green Bay Packers double-dipped at tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. Luke Musgrave was taken ahead of Tucker Kraft, and yet, the latter saw an increase in production last season. That massive leap in production left former starter Musgrave fighting for snaps on the sidelines. Now, as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, rumors are loudly swirling that the Packers might deal the young tight end to the highest bidder.

Musgrave caught just 24 passes for 252 yards last year, which hardly jumps off the stat sheet. However, plenty of teams across the league still love his raw athletic potential. Here is a look at why Green Bay wants to make a deal and which teams might come calling.

The Contract Clock is Ticking For Luke Musgrave

The primary reason Green Bay wants to move Musgrave comes down to simple business. The former second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Packers just let backup quarterback Malik Willis walk in free agency rather than give him a lucrative extension, and they seem ready to take the exact same approach here.

Even though Kraft is currently recovering from an ACL injury, the front office clearly views him as the long-term answer at the position. Rather than losing Musgrave for absolutely nothing next spring, General Manager Brian Gutekunst can flip him right now for valuable draft capital. A mid-round pick gives the Packers a chance to draft a cheaper, low-stakes replacement to develop behind Kraft.

Why the Miami Dolphins Make Perfect Sense

The Miami Dolphins stand out as the most logical trade partner for Green Bay. Miami is currently in the middle of a massive roster firesale, shipping out huge names like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But even in a rebuild, a team must give its quarterback a few reliable targets.

Head coach Jeff Hafley knows he cannot send Malik Willis onto the field without capable pass-catchers. Musgrave offers an immediate, tangible upgrade over Greg Dulcich. He has the size and speed to become a highly dependable weapon in Miami’s new-look offense, and the familiar coaching ties make this a highly realistic landing spot.

Other NFL Teams That Could Call Green Bay

If Miami decides to pass, a few other tight-end-needy franchises could easily pick up the phone to negotiate with Gutekunst.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas and Green Bay have a well-documented history of making trades with one another. The Cowboys smartly locked up Jake Ferguson with an extension, but backup Luke Schoonmaker has struggled to find his footing in the NFL. Musgrave could step right in as a high-upside developmental piece behind Ferguson, giving Dallas a formidable duo.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore loves running heavy formations that utilize multiple tight ends. With Isaiah Likely no longer on the roster, Mark Andrews desperately needs a new running mate. Musgrave would not start over a star like Andrews, but playing alongside Lamar Jackson offers him a fresh start on a wildly dynamic offense.

Denver Broncos

Denver needs to inject some serious life into their passing game before the regular season kicks off. Veteran Evan Engram just posted his worst season as a pro, and young quarterback Bo Nix needs a reliable security blanket over the middle of the field. Musgrave could easily fight for a starting job on this depth chart.

What to Watch For

The Green Bay Packers have a tough choice to make over the next few weeks. They can hold onto Musgrave as premium insurance while Kraft rehabs his knee, or they can cash in on a talented player who will likely test free agency next year anyway. Keep a close eye on the trade wire as the draft kicks off.