Toyotathon is here, and Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers offense is stacking success.

While there are always areas for improvement, after an inconsistent first half to the season, the offense is consistently finding ways to score. That’s impressive, considering their best offensive playmaker, tight end Tucker Kraft, hasn’t played since November 2.

The Packers needed more from the rest of their tight end group following Kraft’s voyage to IR. The early returns were lacking, but the tight ends are factoring into the offense’s growth. Against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, they were particularly effective despite the numbers not popping. What’s changed for the group over the past few weeks?

Not only is Kraft one of the modern NFL’s few complete tight ends, but he was well on his way to being named an All-Pro. That’s a difficult piece to replace, and the early attempts weren’t fortuitous.

Kraft’s absence meant more snaps for Luke Musgrave, Kraft’s dratmate who’d been lost in the sauce.

While there was an opportunity for Musgrave, he’s a completely different player from Kraft. Early efforts to have Musgrave act as a simulacrum of Kraft didn’t end well. Musgrave had some rough games, especially against the New York Giants, and lost snaps, with fellows John FitzPatrick and Josh Whyle out-gaining the former second-rounder.

Matt LaFleur adjusted the plan to utilize his tight ends’ skill sets better, moving forward.

Even the team’s next-best blocking tight end, FitzPatrick, can’t block and make plays the way Kraft could. The Packers no longer have a Marcedes Lewis on the roster, so LaFleur used more heavy blocking sets with a sixth offensive lineman.

Darian Kinnard has seen more snaps each week as a sixth lineman, allowing the offense to do what it wants with Kraft. That’s allowed Musgrave to be used the way they should use him — as a big, man-beating receiver.

FitzPatrick and Whyle are still outsnapping Musgrave, playing 40% of offensive snaps compared to FitzPatrick’s 57% and Whyle’s 42%. He hasn’t taken over a game as a receiver, either. There are still too many mouths to feed in the wide receiver group.

But Musgrave has come a long way since that Giants game and is providing value by stretching the field and making big plays. Against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, he had just one target, but it was a big one — a 23-yard reception. He had more opportunities against the Chicago Bears, catching two of his four targets for 22 yards, including a solid first-down conversion.

Musgrave’s best play, unfortunately, didn’t count in the long run, but it was a perfect microcosm of what he brings to the offense. He fully extended and made an incredible grab for 34 yards after gaining some quick distance downfield. It was an incredible catch, but a questionable replay assist called it a drop. Had the play stood, it could have been a difference-maker in what ended up a close game, but it still highlighted what Musgrave is best at.

#Packers TE Luke Musgrave LAYS OUT for a spectacular catch: pic.twitter.com/NrmRHfyTsd

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 7, 2025

“That was a heck of an effort (on the overturned reception),” LaFleur said on Monday. “Apparently, they didn’t see it how I saw it. That’s just part of it.”

The other tight ends got in on the action with big plays of their own.

FitzPatrick remains the best blocking tight end and the most complete sans Kraft. He had two catches for 14 yards, including an impressive grab over Bears safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Whyle had his own big play of the day, a 22-yard pickup on third-and-two. Running from the aforementioned Kinnard set, Whyle got in motion and set the offense up for what would be Christian Watson‘s first touchdown of the day.

Luke Musgrave has a catch for 10 yards and was targeted on a downfield shot, John Fitzpatrick has two catches and now Josh Whyle just ripped off a 21-yard reception. All of the Packers’ tight ends are getting in on the action.

— zach jacobson (@zacobson) December 7, 2025

Each tight end had their moment and kept the offensive gears turning. They weren’t the highlight players of the game, but they played a large part in the success and set up a foundation for the offense to build on the rest of the season.

FitzPatrick and Whyle are standing out as depth players who will factor into the future. If Musgrave can continue to make plays as a receiver, and LaFleur puts him in the right situations, he’ll continue to have a role.

Plus side, Packers are letting Luke Musgrave do what he’s good at — running away from people downfield

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 7, 2025

For a unit in disarray after losing their star player, the Packers have found the best formula to get their tight ends involved in the offensive game plan. The committee approach, including using Kinnard as a sixth lineman, is working wonders and is a major part of why Green Bay’s offense is stacking wins. They’ll continue to play a role in this final stretch of tough games.