Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers took their sweet time to extend Jordan Love's contract. It wasn't a distraction, until it was.
Love attended the first week of training camp but didn't practice until he had signed an extension.
The Packers are taking a similar gamble with star tight end Tucker Kraft. We know it's only a matter of time before he lands a potentially market-resetting deal. It's unclear if he would consider taking a similar approach to Love by not practicing until he gets his extension, but that's the risk the Packers could be about to take. At the very least, entering camp without a deal would create a distraction.
Why the Packers should get Tucker Kraft's new deal finalized before training camp begins in two weeks
Green Bay's first practice is only two weeks away on July 29. Getting Kraft's extension over the goal line before then should be a priority.
His injury could have factored into the delay. Kraft is working his way back from a torn ACL that ended his season last November. Time will tell whether he'll begin training camp on the PUP list or practice right away, but Kraft believes he will play in Week 1 without a pitch count. That suggests he'll be practicing before long.
The Packers have already handed multi-year extensions to wide receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson this offseason, while it was revealed earlier this week that backup linebacker Isaiah McDuffie has inked a new one-year extension.
Kraft is next. He should've been first on the list.
Even if Kraft has no intention of holding out (or holding in), the Packers should avoid any potential distraction. Every time Kraft speaks to reporters, or even Matt LaFleur for that matter, they will face questions about an extension.
It made no sense when the Packers didn't get Love's extension sorted before the start of training camp in 2024. Love missed practices in the opening week and didn't take any snaps until the pads went on that weekend.
It felt like a completely avoidable scenario. It worked out OK in the end, but there was an undeniable distraction in that first week.
Everyone knows Kraft is going to get paid this summer. Everyone knows Kraft is one of the league's premier tight ends and a game-changer for this offense.
It's only a matter of time before he gets his deal, but the longer it goes, the greater the risk of a distraction at training camp.
The first practice is two weeks away. The Packers need to get a move on.
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