Green Bay Packers quarterback Tucker Kraft isn’t certain he’ll play a single snap in the preseason, with early showings definitely out of the question for the 2023 third-round draft pick. But he didn’t hesitate when asked if he plans to play in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
“Without a doubt,” Kraft said after his first training camp practice of the year Tuesday. “I shouldn’t talk about schedules and stuff like that, but if you see me today, you’ll see me in Brazil.”
Kraft missed the first 10 practices of training camp, including Saturday’s Family Night, as he continued to recover from a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in the offseason. Since the start of camp, Kraft has been working strenuous on his rehab, trying to get back to full contact. Now, all that strenuous work is paying off.
“You can’t see me, but for the last three weeks I’ve been sitting in a room and just working there, trying to get as comfortable with contact as possible,” he said.
“We’re making really good progress, so you’ll see me being much more involved in the future.”
Kraft only completed individual drills Tuesday, as is customary when players return from injury to regroup. The Packers plan to take things slower, especially with a player expected to play a significant role on offense next season.
As a rookie, it was clear that Kraft needed time to adjust to the physicality of the NFL. Most of his early opportunities came in the run game and pass protection. So improving that aspect of his game ultimately allowed him to showcase his athleticism as a pass catcher, something he was known for at South Dakota State.
In a Week 9 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kraft’s preparation met opportunity and led to a 27-yard catch and run down the sideline. Entering the game, he had three catches for 11 yards. That became the starting point for Kraft, who never looked back, finishing the season with 355 yards on 31 catches and two touchdowns.
“My career changed with the flat route,” Kraft said. “I didn’t have to have a coach try to open me up. I got open, caught the ball flat, turned up (the field). I got out of bounds, but it was a game where I could highlight my athleticism and the impact I could have in this offense.”
After a successful end to the season, Kraft feels much more confident about his sophomore year, which has prompted him to set some ambitious goals for himself.
“I set a precedent for myself. My big goal this year is to be the best tight end on the outside,” Kraft said. “That’s a huge challenge, especially in our offense, and I want people to feel comfortable putting me in pass protection, running the run, running the route.
“I want to get back to playing with an edge and I think the next two weeks will allow me to do that. I’m just going to take every snap and if I don’t feel like I can play my best, I’ll let the staff know and we’ll be on the same page. But for me, I feel great. We’re in that preseason now and I can’t wait to get back on the field fully.”
The Packers will try to put more and more on Kraft over the next two weeks to see what he can handle. In the meantime, Kraft will try to avoid any setbacks. Despite all the plans for 2024, it’s a given that he wants to start the journey in Week 1.
