The Green Bay Packers left Minnesota with an overwhelming amount of concerns to address. The offensive line and the protection communication were, to be frank, a disaster. However, the Packers still led that game for three quarters. Unfortunately, the offensive line will not be fixed overnight. The area concern that has a quicker and easier solution on the table is the Packers redzone woes. The solution to this problem is recently paid tight end Tucker Kraft.
The Packers registered 4 redzone trips against the Vikings but managed to only score 10 points. The Vikings scored 29 points on 4 redzone trips. If the Packers were more efficient in the redzone, they probably win that game, despite the problems up front. As Green Bay heads to New York to take on the Jets, the Packers have to find ways to get the ball to Tucker Kraft in the redzone.
Prior to his ACL injury in 2025, Kraft average 10.8 yards after the catch (YAC). The redzone is 20 yards. With a YAC average of 10.8, the Packers must get the Kraft the ball and let him run loose. This should be even more a point of emphasis without Josh Jacobs. The spacing in the redzone is condensed, which can limit the play calling, but that is why Green Bay must involve the players who can make things happen with the ball. If it is not Tucker Kraft, Jayden Reed averaged 6.91 yards after the catch in 2024. Reed is another guy who can make something happen in space.
The Packers Can Win Games in the Redzone
NFL games can be won and lost in the redzone. The Packers, with a historical poor performance from the offensive line, still managed to log 419 yards of total offense against Minnesota. Green Bay can move the football but sadly the redzone requires a much higher level of efficiency. The Packers must capitalize on redzone trips but Green Bay really needs to capitalize on the redzone trips when they have the lead. The Packers had a few opportunities against the Vikings to make it a two and even, a three possession game. If the Packers want to overcome this “finishing bugaboo”, they have to put teams away.
This is not the first time that the Packers have struggled in the redzone. During the downfall of the 2025 season, the Packers really started to struggle in the redzone. Green Bay finished with a 58% touchdown rate in the redzone in 2025, which puts the Packers in the middle of the pack. Matt LaFleur, Jordan Love, and the redzone approach needs a little more creativity but ultimately the gameplan, in that part of the field, should be centered around Tucker Kraft. Tucker Kraft is an angry, aggressive runner with the ball. All Packer fans can attest that Kraft is a tough player to stop, especially if he is close to the end zone.
The New York Jets, who may have a talent deficit, are still a tough nosed football team led by an aggressive coach. Green Bay will have to execute in the redzone against the Jets. It is the best way to crush the Jets’ spirits. Defenses tend to find encouragement when they hold the opposing team to a field goal. The Packers have to find a way to get the ball to their playmakers, especially the ones who hard to bring down. Look for the Packers to emphasize getting the ball to Tucker Kraft in the redzone this week.
