Tucker Kraft remains without a contract extension with the Green Bay Packers as he works his way back from the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season. The tight end is entering the final year of his rookie contract, making his long-term status one of the bigger open questions facing Green Bay before the 2026 season. Kraft has made clear that he wants to remain with the Packers, while the team has also indicated that it wants to keep him beyond his current deal. The two sides have not reached an agreement, however, and Kraft’s return from injury adds another factor to the timing of the negotiations. He has since returned to practice after coming off the physically unable to perform list, giving Green Bay a chance to evaluate him on the field again. 

Kraft Enters Final Year Of Rookie Contract Without An Extension 

Kraft and the Packers have been discussing a possible extension, but no agreement has been announced. During training camp, Kraft said he would prefer to have the deal completed as soon as possible. He also made clear that he wants to remain with Green Bay for the rest of his career, while leaving the contract discussions to his agent and the team’s front office. The timing matters because Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Packers have already agreed to extensions with wide receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, leaving Kraft as another young offensive player whose future with the team needs to be addressed. 

Kraft’s own comments give some sense of where he stands. In June, he said his goal was to play his entire career in Green Bay and that his agent and the Packers’ front office would handle the negotiations. He did not disclose whether the two sides had formally begun talks at that point. By late July, Kraft was more direct about the timing. He said he believed it would be best if an agreement were reached “as soon as possible,” while Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst also said he expected and hoped a deal would be completed before the season. Kraft’s production is a large part of why the contract is being discussed at all. Before his injury last season, he recorded 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. He averaged 15.3 yards per reception during that stretch. Across his first three NFL seasons, he has recorded 113 receptions for 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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Kraft Returns To Practice As Contract Talks Continue 

Kraft’s recovery from his ACL injury is now another part of the situation. He tore the ACL in his right knee during a November 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers, ending his season. The Packers activated him from the physically unable to perform list on July 31, allowing him to return to individual work and some walkthrough activity.

Kraft said after returning to practice that he would be brought back gradually rather than immediately taking part in full team periods. He described the process as a ramp-up toward the regular season, with the goal of eventually returning to normal team work. The return has since progressed. On Aug. 16, Kraft took part in team drills during practice and scored a touchdown, although the Packers are still managing his workload as he continues his recovery. The recovery gives both sides more information as negotiations continue. The Packers can evaluate how he moves and performs after the injury, while Kraft can show that he is progressing toward his previous level. Neither guarantees how the talks will land.

Kraft has also said he is comfortable practicing without an extension in place. His position is that the contract discussions can continue while he focuses on getting back on the field. The situation remains unresolved heading into the season. Kraft wants to continue his career in Green Bay, and the Packers have indicated that they want him to remain with the team, but the two sides still need to agree on the terms of a long-term deal. For now, his return from the ACL injury and the ongoing contract discussions are developing at the same time.