Tucker Kraft Seeks Turnaround Against Bears for Packers

The Green Bay Packers will rely on tight end Tucker Kraft against the Chicago Bears after his uneven start to the 2026 season, with the matchup highlighting a need for improved receiving production. The game follows Kraft's decline from a standout 2025 campaign, according to Lombardi Ave.

Kraft has not matched the impact he showed last season, when his athletic ability after the catch helped him become a major offensive option. According to Lombardi Ave, the Packers have seen fewer explosive plays from the tight end through the opening stretch of 2026.

Statistics from Pro Football Reference cited by Lombardi Ave show a significant drop across several efficiency categories. Kraft's yards after catch per reception fell from 10.8 in 2025, which ranked third, to 6.1 in 2026, ranked 39th.

The same Pro Football Reference data cited by Lombardi Ave showed Kraft's receptions per broken tackle rate declined from 5.3 in 2025, ranked fourth, to 15.0 in 2026, ranked 45th. His passer rating when targeted also dropped from 148.6, ranked second in 2025, to 93.7, ranked 89th in 2026.

Lombardi Ave reported that Kraft has also struggled with dropped passes this season. The tight end dropped five passes on 24 targets, a 20.8 percent drop rate that ranked second-worst in the league, compared with a 6.8 percent rate last season.

The Packers' matchup with Chicago could put pressure on the offense because of the Bears' defensive approach. Lombardi Ave noted that Chicago defensive coordinator Dennis Allen used increased blitz pressure during a previous meeting, affecting Green Bay's rushing production in the second half.

According to Lombardi Ave, Green Bay's offense had difficulty maintaining its running game in that contest, with the Packers managing only two yards on seven second-half carries aside from a six-yard rush by Josh Jacobs.

The report also said Kraft was unavailable after suffering a torn ACL in November, limiting the Packers' ability to use him as a receiving option against pressure defenses. His return gives Green Bay another target when facing aggressive defensive schemes.

Chicago's defense presents another challenge, as Lombardi Ave reported the Bears rank third in pressure percentage and ninth in sacks. The Packers also entered the matchup averaging an NFL-low 58 rushing yards per game, according to the report.