KRAFT EXTENSION
The well awaited contract extension to Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has finally happened. About an hour ago, the Packers announced the agreement on a four year $75 million extension that adds up to $92 million with a $26.5 million signing bonus. This extension makes Kraft the highest paid tight end in NFL history.
Kraft has shown not only the Packers, but the entire league, the production he could do when healthy. Last year, before the injury, he led the NFL in yards per catch for tight ends and was on track for over 1000 yards receiving. With only playing eight full games last season his stats were:
RECEPTIONS: 32
YARDS: 489
AVERAGE YARD PER CATCH: 15.3
TOUCHDOWNS: 6
YARDS AFTER CATCH: 344
Kraft suffered a torn right ACL in last year's week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers early in the third quarter. The Packers ended up losing the game 16-13 but the real devastation was Kraft’s injury. After the game it was revealed that Kraft’s injury would take him out for the rest of the season. With his injury and Parson’s injury it was a tough hill to climb for the Packers.
During the offseason Kraft was doing rehab and training in hopes to be able to play for the first game this season. He started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. This was common but Kraft left the fans feeling hopeful during training camp of his return. “My anticipation is…I'm gonna get all the conditioning I need in camp to start week 1.” Kraft said in early June. In late July he was activated off the PUP and was able to participate in full 11 on 11 drills without any restrictions by late August. And just this week he was taken off the injury list for the Packers and is a full go for Sunday’s games.
Packers fans have been expecting this extension for a while. In late June, Kraft put his house, in Green Bay, up for sale and sold it in late July. This made the fanbase more confident that Kraft was gearing up for the contract extension and might buy a bigger house. But without any news of the extension a lot of people had questions. Kraft calmed down the fans when talking about his status with the team due to not having the extension yet. “I will be on the field to play for the Packers regardless of any contract situation,” Kraft said. “I love this team and you can’t replicate this locker room anywhere else in the NFL.”
Packers fans are very excited to see the contract extension and to have Tucker Kraft as a Packer for a long time. To learn more about the extension visit:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49914334/sources-packers-tucker-kraft-agree-4-year-extension
