The Green Bay Packers won’t be back on the practice field until the start of training camp in late July. So, who surprised during the offseason workout program? In a post highlighting the offseason’s biggest surprises, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky picked backup tight end Josh Whyle, who got a big opportunity this spring with Tucker Kraft out and Luke Musgrave dealing with another injury.
And he took advantage.
From Demovsky: “Tucker Kraft is TE1 and Luke Musgrave is still here. But a third tight end has emerged. Whyle took significant snaps with the starters this offseason after catching just five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in eight games last season for the Packers, who signed him to their practice squad after Tennessee released him.”
Whyle, a fifth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2023, joined the Packers practice squad in late August of last year, signed to the 53-man roster after Kraft went down in October and ended up playing in eight regular season games. He caught five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown over 176 snaps.
Whyle will have a real chance to play an important role as a backup tight end in Green Bay in 2026.
From Kraft to Matt LaFleur to Jordan Love, several players and coaches sung Whyle’s praises this offseason.
“His ability in pass protection, what he can do on the line of scrimmage in the run game, and he’s made some great contested catches this offseason,” Kraft said, via Packers.com. “I think the sky’s the limit for him. I’m glad that we got him. I know Matt has said that. We can’t believe that the Titans would let a product like that go, and we’re fortunate to have him.”
“He’s shown a lot of good things. I’ve always really liked Josh’s versatility in terms of being a movable piece,” LaFleur said. “He’s gotten some opportunities on things that Luke would have done, like yesterday, he caught a post route over the middle, came through and made a great play on that. The more reps he’s getting, the better he’s getting.”
“I’m excited about him as well,” Love said, via Packers.com. “He got better, and this offseason he’s been putting in the work. Obviously with Tuck out, great opportunity for him to step up and make some plays. Been finding him a couple times down the field.”
Kraft is expecting to be back on the field in a full capacity come the start of the regular season. But the Packers need a legitimate backup to emerge, and it appears Whyle has given himself an opportunity to become a versatile and valuable role player behind Kraft in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Backup TE Josh Whyle highlighted as Packers’ surprise player of offseason
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
