Tucker Kraft is heading into the Packers’ 2026 season opener with a lot of familiar faces around him, but the Green Bay tight end says he’s keeping his focus where it belongs.
The Packers travel to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13, and for Kraft, the trip to U.S. Bank Stadium feels a lot like a homecoming. The South Dakota native grew up about seven hours away, and he expects plenty of family and friends in the building when he makes his return.
“I’m excited to get back to Minnesota, because for me it’s kind of like a home game,” Kraft said. “It’s a short drive for a lot of my personal fans, followers and family.
Just getting an opportunity to play in an atmosphere like that. The Banks is real fun place to play in.
“People are good with me on [ticket requests]. They don’t expect much out of me. I also tell them exactly where they’re going to be sitting and that’ll be in the nosebleeds.”
That support will come with a lot of anticipation, too. Kraft has been out since tearing his ACL in last year’s Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, an injury that ended a 2025 season that was tracking toward All-Pro or Pro Bowl-level production.
Through eight games, he had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns. Even with the shortened year, he finished tied for first on the team in receiving touchdowns and third in receiving yards.
Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith has already seen enough to know what Kraft brings.
“I told Tuck the first day I met him in person,” Jonnu Smith said, “that I thought he was the best guy up until unfortunately he went down. At our position, I thought he was the best guy in the run and pass game.
“For him to be at that age that he’s at, and putting that product to work on the field, it’s good to see.”
Kraft, entering his fourth season, said he’s ready to put the injury behind him after 10 months of rehab and recovery.
“I’m definitely ready to move on, that’s for sure,” Kraft said. “The last five months − as I transition out of the training room, into the weightroom, and now here − I learned a lot about myself and the consistency you have to apply to this job.
There’s no real off day. You’re always doing something for your mind or your body.”
He isn’t thinking about a snap count or pacing himself for the opener. His approach is simpler than that.
“I’m just going to go out there and try to win the game one play at a time,” he said. “My mentality is simple.
I’m blocking every block like I’m the point of attack. I’m going to finish until the whistle.
I’m going to run every route like the ball is coming to me. That’s always been my recipe.”
Kraft has also said he plans to play in Week 1 even if a contract extension isn’t finished before the season begins. For now, he’s more interested in getting back on the field and letting the football part take care of itself.
“I can play with emotion without getting emotional. Just being myself,” he said.
“I try to play at a pretty low temperature, otherwise I get too hot and start making mistakes. I try to keep myself cool and just execute my alignment, assignment and technique one play at a time.”
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