The Packers have been searching for the next dynamic tight end since Jermichael Finley.
Tucker Kraft has entered the chat.
Kraft now has the most receiving yards for a Packers tight end in franchise history in a two-year span. More than Finley, Richard Rodgers, Paul Coffman and Bubba Franks. Finley’s last season in Green Bay was 2013. He averaged 464 receiving yards in his six seasons, cresting at 767 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011.
Now to be in the same breath as Coffman is a big deal. He is the Packers career leader for tight ends in receptions (322), yards (4,223) and touchdowns (39) and was enshrined in the Packers Hall of Fame in 1994. Just to be mentioned alongside a three-time Pro Bowler is pretty amazing.
The one thing that doesn’t get associated with tight ends is yards after the catch. Kraft’s YAC last season was an astounding 9.3 — which was highest among all tight ends by 1.5 yards. He also managed 229 YAC after contact, which again led all tight ends last year.
“Always trying to make the first one miss,” said Kraft this past October. “But head down, bull in a China shop. That’s just what I do.”
And that’s what makes Kraft so special. He has turned into a one-man wrecking crew from a position that only gets about four targets a game. That’s what is completely bizarre. He has turned heads and dropped jaws while nearly being completely anonymous.
So that makes Jordan Love’s job simple: just get the ball to Kraft more. But there’s also a slight problem with that notion. The Packers just drafted wide receiver Matthew Golden 23rd overall, Jayden Reed is a can-do everything wideout and Romeo Doubs is arguably the best route runner on the team. Then there’s Josh Jacobs, who has a real shot of being the NFC leader in rushing yards in 2025 after placing fourth last year.
This Packers offense will be such a delicate balance in 2025. There are so many mouths to feed, but coach Matt LaFleur and Love have to decide between wants and needs. You know, you may want to have ice cream for breakfast everyday, but that won’t be a fruitful decision after clothes get a little snug.
Same with this team. Kraft wants to be considered an offensive cornerstone and in order for the Packers to get to double-digit wins, Green Bay needs him to become a focal point of the offense.
Now the obvious argument is that Kraft has only been a pro for two years. But his numbers took a huge leap from Year 1 to Year 2 and it only makes sense that he takes another big leap heading into Year 3.
“Tuck is going to be a big part of the offense,” said Love last month. “I think Tuck since he stepped on the scene, has kind of shown who is as a playmaker and shown us reasons why we should just keep giving him the ball. I think a big part of going into this season is going to be finding ways to continue to get Tuck the ball. Get him as many touches as we can in a game, because he’s dynamic and does some really good things once he gets his hands on the ball.”
Tucker Kraft had the most yards after catch per reception among TEs last year and forced twice as many missed tackles as George Kittle
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— Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) June 21, 2025