Tucker Kraft didn’t mince words after the Green Bay Packers’ Week 1 collapse against the Minnesota Vikings.
Green Bay had control with a 22-10 lead, then watched it all slip away in a 39-22 loss. The Packers were shut out in the fourth quarter, outscored 22-0 in the final period as another late-game meltdown wiped out the promise of an early advantage.
For Kraft, back in action for the first time since tearing his ACL and after landing a new contract, the message was plain: the offense has to do more.
"We need to get going as an offense," Kraft said. "I feel the pressure. This team needs us to rise to the occasion, and we're going to go out there and play some good football."
Kraft finished with three catches for 65 yards in the loss, his first game back after the injury. The Packers rewarded him with a four-year, $75 million extension, and he said the long-term deal meant a lot to him.
"Something I've always dreamed of, especially these last few years, is being a part of this organization for the long term," Kraft said. "I'm looking forward to winning some games now."
The frustration around the team is easy to trace. The Packers’ last meaningful game before Sunday ended with a blown 21-3 lead to the Chicago Bears in the wild card round of the 2025 playoffs.
All offseason, Green Bay talked about learning from that finish and avoiding a repeat. Instead, the Packers dropped another one after giving away a 22-10 lead to Minnesota.
The result left Green Bay without a win since December 7, 2025, and the mood around the organization is tense after another collapse.
Still, there’s clear appreciation for Kraft’s return.
"You know what you're going to get from Tuck," quarterback Jordan Love said. "He wants to be out there; he wants to earn everything he does. Coming off the injury he had last year, he's missed so much time where he's hungry to be back out there and get rolling and start making plays now."
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Kraft sets the tone the right way.
"Tuck's what we want to be about," LaFleur said. "He shows up every day and puts his 100% into this thing.
He does a great job. He's obviously earned the respect from his teammates, being voted a captain, and he does things the right way.
I love the style of play which he presents out on the field. You can't have enough guys like Tucker Kraft."
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