The Green Bay Packers are currently holding their mandatory minicamp. The Packers practiced both Tuesday and Wednesday. The locker room has been open to the media both days this week. Yesterday, the local media had a chance to catch up with Tucker Kraft. The up and coming tight end is recovering from an ACL tear. Kraft gave Packer fans a reason to get excited.
Tucker Kraft tore his ACL against the Carolina Panthers on November 2nd, 2025. This injury happened exactly one week after Kraft registered 7 receptions, 143 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns on Sunday Night Football against the Steelers. In a matter of 7 days, Kraft went from a statement game on national TV to a multi-month long injury. While Kraft was on the field in 2025, he was emerging as a breakout star for not only the Packers but for the NFL as well.
On Wednesday, inside the Packers lockerroom, Tucker Kraft told the media that he felt great. Kraft added that he plans to be on the field Week 1 in Minnesota. He does not believe he will be on a snap count either. This is awfully encouraging to hear for Packer fans but with right around 3 months to go before the Packers take on the Vikings, there is still a lot to be determined. Although, Kraft’s recovery is going well, the Packers and Kraft very well might err on the side of caution with his return.
Tucker Kraft’s Impact and Long Term Future
The Packers brass and Tucker Kraft’s representatives have engaged in contract extension talks. Green Bay already extended wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Their respective offseason moves made it clear that the team was clearing cap in order to keep key players. Tucker Kraft is the next player on their extension list. On top of his recovery status report, Kraft told the media that he loves Green Bay and wants to spend the entirety of his career there.
Kraft did not give specifics on where things stand with his extension talks. He did tell the media that “you guys will find out eventually.” It is never ideal to speculate but that sentence seems to confirm that the two sides are talking. Extending Kraft makes all the sense in the world. Kraft is a game changer for the Packers. He brings a needed ability to extend plays after the catch and after contact. He is the Packers best blocking tight end, which with an uncertain offensive line, is a critical piece to the offense.
The Green Bay offseason did not include acquisitions of big name players. This offseason made it clear that the Packers believe they have the right players but they needed to clear space for them. The Packers have extended and paid Watson and Reed. They spent a first round pick on Matthew Golden. Tucker Kraft is a confirmed star, all ACL concerns aside. Green Bay is structuring their roster to be centered around 7 or 8 key players for the next few seasons.
