Tucker Kraft issues 'nut up or shut up' rallying cry to Packers

Tucker Kraft is sidelined while he recovers from ACL surgery, but he's still making his voice heard around Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers tight end expects to start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but made it clear that he can't wait to "get this ball rolling."

In the meantime, Green Bay's 9-7-1 finish and wild-card exit obviously didn't sit well, and his message to the locker room was a reality check.

Kraft on the Packers' 2026 mindset

The Packers' playoff hopes were dashed in January by the Chicago Bears. Losing to their arch rivals hurt, as did the manner of the loss, giving up an 18-point lead.

Kraft's injury meant he wasn't on the field for that game, but the moment still stings, and his message about what needs to change was blunt.

"The coaches are here to take players where they can't go by themselves, but we have to meet them halfway," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"They're here to teach us the concepts of the offense, but it's up to us to make that come to fruition.

"I'm not saying it's a culmination of players' failures, but we're not winning."

Patrick McDermott / Stringer

If that message left any ambiguity as to what needs to change, Kraft drove the point home.

"Each man has to nut up or shut up. I think it's that simple that you just do your job, one play at a time.

"You never get a single play back in the NFL, so I think you just have to have the right attitude."

It's unclear whether his comments are directed at a specific player or intended as motivation for all, but either way, nobody in the locker room will have missed the point.

Kraft's recovery timeline

Kraft tore his ACL in early November against Carolina, at a point when he was on pace for the best statistical season by a tight end in franchise history.

In just eight games, he led the team in receptions twice, amassed 489 receiving yards and caught six touchdowns.

The way he's talking, it won't be long before he's back on the field, preparing to pick up where he left off.

"With how I feel, I would say I'm going to get all the conditioning I need in camp to start Week 1 on no pitch count," he said.

"I feel great," he added. "My quad looks great. Swelling is minimal to none. No, like weird pains and aches coming out of my treatment and my trainings, so we're really excited to get this ball rolling, and we're gonna take off."

His speedy recovery will be good news for quarterback Jordan Love, who has increasingly looked Kraft's way each of the past three years.

Is Kraft's contract extension coming soon?

The 25-year-old is about to enter the fourth and final year of his rookie deal and wants an extension that keeps him in Wisconsin for the rest of his playing days.

"I'd say my goal is I want to play for this organisation my entire career," he said.

"I'm spoiled to have been drafted here, and this is all I know. Green and gold is all I know, so we'd like to keep it that way."

Whether the contract comes first or not, the 'nut up' standard has been set, and Kraft is itching to get back for Week 1 at Minnesota to show it wasn't just talk.