Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was having a monster 2025 season before tearing his ACL eight games in. That was a big blow at the time, one that recalibrated the entire offense, and fans have anxiously awaited updates on his recovery throughout the offseason and into minicamp.
Fortunately, all signs are pointing in a positive direction. On Wednesday, Kraft said he expects to be ready for Week 1 with no snap count or restrictions. That's great news. Even better, seven-time Pro Bowler George Kittle, perhaps the best receiving tight end this decade, fully expects to see his young peer pick up right where he left off.
"I mean, Tucker was playing at TE1 until he got hurt," Kittle said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show when asked to evaluate up-and-comers at the position. "I have high expectations for him to come right back and just take off again."Â
Especially coming from Kittle, that glowing endorsement should warm the hearts of Packers fans everywhere.
George Kittle is confident Tucker Kraft will hit the ground running
Somewhat ironically, Kraft was the first name out of Kittle's mouth despite earning only an offhand mention in the question prompt. Far from an afterthought, the former third-round pick was on pace for mind-boggling numbers through seven healthy games. Extending Kraft's production to an entire season, he would have 73 catches, 1,139 receiving yards, and 14 to 15 touchdowns. Those are figures Kittle would be proud to claim.
Perhaps more significant, practically speaking, are Kittle's comments on Kraft's form when he returns. What he'll look like during those first games is no small question. By Week 1, it will be over 10 months since he played in a real game.
Kraft himself saying that he will be ready to roll was the best Packers news this week. If Kittle is right, not only will he be back, he'll be prepared to retake his spot as the top player at his position.
The 49ers star has a solid foundation on which to stake his claim. Even Arizona's Trey McBride and Las Vegas' Brock Bowers are nowhere near the explosive playmaker that Kraft is. As great as McBride's 2025 season was, he averaged under 10 yards per catch. His career high is 10.3. Bowers has topped out at 10.7 in his two NFL seasons. In contrast, Kraft averaged 15.3 yards per reception last season and 14.1 in 2024.
A big chunk of that yardage comes after the catch. Kraft can haul in contested catches like a receiver, then bulldoze defenders like Derrick Henry. Per reception last season, he created a whopping 10.8 yards after the catch. He adds a whole new dimension to the Packers' operation.
Notably, Kittle implicitly ranked the 2025 version of Kraft above himself, the five-time All-Pro, though he might have something to say about that this year if he can stay healthy. Having missed more than his fair share of time, Kittle has four 1,000-yard seasons of his own, a number that would be higher if he could just stay on the field.
Still, Kittle knows that Kraft is on the rise. At least based on his comments, he evidently believes the Packers tight end can reclaim the crown for himself without missing a beat. Especially after getting news to the opposite effect on Micah Parsons, that's just what Green and Gold Nation needed to hear.
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