Packers Sign Tucker Kraft to $75M Extension
Packers Sign Tucker Kraft to $75M Extension
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Key Points
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Kraft was initially expected to play about 40 snaps, but tight ends coach John Dunn helped him reach 45. Coach Matt LaFleur said Kraft was not fatigued and credited the team’s athletic trainers and strength staff for preparing him for the return.
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Kraft said that after the opening drive, returning to game action “really felt like riding a bike,” adding that he felt like himself and was happy to help his teammates.
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Kraft’s three catches ranked behind Christian Watson’s 147 receiving yards and Matthew Golden’s 95 yards, while he avoided the Week 1 injury report in his return from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 9 of last season.
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Kraft had previously indicated that he would not hold out during contract negotiations, despite returning from a torn ACL, allowing the deal to be completed before the season opener.
Tucker Kraft shook off a torn ACL to deliver an encouraging debut for the Packers in their 39-22 Week 1 loss to Minnesota, catching three passes for 65 yards on 45 snaps. The tight end's return came just days after he signed a four-year, $75 million contract extension featuring a record $26.5 million signing bonus si.com, positioning him as a central piece of Green Bay's offense moving forward.
Kraft was originally limited to roughly 40 snaps, but tight ends coach John Dunn and the athletic training staff helped extend his workload to 45. Sports Yahoo reported that coach Matt LaFleur said Kraft showed no signs of fatigue and credited the team's preparation for the seamless return to game action.
Kraft's Extension Locks in Tight End's Future
The Packers secured Kraft's long-term future with the four-year, $75 million deal before the season opener zonecoverage.com. The extension includes a landmark $26.5 million signing bonus but carries no additional guaranteed money beyond that amount. Kraft's willingness to negotiate without holding out, despite recovering from a serious injury, allowed both sides to reach a deal quickly.
Strong Start Suggests ACL Recovery on Track
Kraft's three catches ranked third on the team behind Christian Watson's 147 yards and Matthew Golden's 95 yards si.com. More encouraging than the production itself was his role: he averaged 11.8 yards in depth of target versus just 4.8 yards last season, signaling the Packers plan to use him downfield more aggressively.
Kraft felt comfortable in his return, saying after the opening drive that it "really felt like riding a bike." He avoided any injury setbacks and told teammates he felt like himself, setting up an optimistic outlook for Week 2 against the Jets si.com.
Packers Lean on Training Staff's ACL Prep Work
Coach Matt LaFleur credited the team's athletic trainers and strength staff for preparing Kraft to handle the return without fatigue setting in Sports Yahoo. The coaching staff felt confident extending him from 40 to 45 snaps based on how his body responded during the game. This preparation underscores why Green Bay felt comfortable giving Kraft major responsibility immediately upon his debut.
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