The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2026 season and hope that tight end Tucker Kraft will be a big part of that. Kraft has been rehabbing his torn ACL this offseason, and he's made some massive strides.
On Sunday, Kraft was cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills, and he was so eager to get out there that he was the first player on the practice field, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Not only was he the first player on the field, but he was an immediate factor.
Demovsky revealed that Kraft had five catches (on five targets) with a touchdown grab. Kraft immediately made his presence known on the field, and he didn't hold back that he would like an extension before the year starts. Kraft knows what he brings to the fold.
"That's the goal," he said. "I think we're a different team when I'm out on the field and I think that's obvious. I think everyone in this organization, every fan knows that, without sounding arrogant."
And his comments were backed up with how quickly he stood out in his first practice back.
Tucker Kraft's first Packers practice makes his extension comments intriguing
Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie deal and wants an extension, as he should. There's no sugarcoating his impact on this team. As a run blocker and pass-catcher, he's a featured part of their game plan.
Before going down last year, Kraft was leading the team in receiving yards (489) and receiving touchdowns (six). That's impressive considering the collection of receivers on the roster, but it shows the comfort level he had with both Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love.
The Packers wasted no time getting him involved in practice, which proves his point that they are a different team with him on the field.
The top five highest-paid tight ends in the NFL make at least $13 million per year, with the San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle coming in at No. 1 with a $19.1 million AAV. Whether the Packers want to top that number remains to be seen, but there's a nice gap between $14 and $18 million per year that would make Kraft happy.
He has developed into a high-end starter for them and wants to be paid as such. His injury threw a wrench in the plan, but from the early looks of it, he's bouncing back nicely. Kraft didn't cause a fit or hold out for a new deal.
Instead, he was present all offseason, and it was never a thought in his mind to do anything else.
While Kraft may be on a pitch count to start the year, he will be an impact player for them, and Sunday's practice was the latest example. And that performance should only help Kraft at the negotiating table.
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