The Green Bay Packers moved quickly to secure extensions for Jayden Reed and Christian Watson earlier this offseason. Tucker Kraft, you're next.
One has to wonder whether Kraft would already have a new deal had it not been for the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season. Maybe not. But it ultimately won't matter because Kraft will get his extension soon, and the Packers should ensure it happens before the start of training camp.
There has been zero indication that Kraft would consider holding out if a deal isn't in place, but entering camp without a new deal could still be an unnecessary distraction. And there's a good chance he'll be ready to practice soon, with Kraft believing he'll play in Week 1 without a pitch count.
Packers need to get Tucker Kraft's new deal done as soon as possible
Kraft will soon become one of the highest-paid tight ends in football, as he should.
He was on an All-Pro trajectory last season before suffering the injury in November. Kraft was on pace for 73 catches, 1,139 yards, and 15 touchdowns. That would've put him in serious competition with Trey McBride, who was named a first-team All-Pro after catching 126 passes for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns.
George Kittle believed Kraft was the "TE1" in the NFL last year before his injury, and it's hard to disagree.
Kraft's absence meant the Packers rarely had all of their stars on the field together. When he tore his ACL in Week 9, Christian Watson had only been back for one game on a pitch count. Jayden Reed was out with a broken collarbone.
Getting all three of them out there together, along with Matthew Golden, could elevate Green Bay's offense to another level in 2026.
The Packers' first training camp practice is set for July 29, a little under nine months (269 days) after Kraft suffered the injury. By the time the Packers meet the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, Kraft will be over 10 months (315 days) removed from the injury.
Everything sounds highly encouraging with his recovery. There's no reason for the Packers to delay his contract extension any further.
They have another five weeks until the start of training camp, but that should be the deadline. The Packers have already handed out long-term extensions to Reed and Watson. Now, they should aim to get Kraft's deal done before July 29.
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