Packers GM Brian Gutekunst still working to sign Tucker Kraft to extension

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was happy to see tight end Tucker Kraft take part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time, but it wasn’t something he needed to witness to determine whether to sign the fourth-year pro to a contract extension.

Gutekunst has said signing Kraft to a deal before he hits free agency next year is a priority, and a source said the two sides have had some discussions.

Kraft has been brought back slowly, taking part only in limited individual drills upon his return to practice July 31. He has gradually done more and more but, until Aug. 16, he had not taken part in any fully padded 11-on-11 drills.

The Packers tight end had a strong practice, making several catches in clutch situations.

“Him getting back in the team drills really had no effect on anything,” Gutekunst said Aug. 18 of negotiations. “But it's good to see him out there. I mean, you know, he's worked his tail off. You know, congratulations to him.

“I mean, these are little things that are big things. When you're coming off an injury, like he's coming off … I know he was really excited to get out there and join his teammates. As far as the contract goes, it doesn't have any really effect on that. And no real updates there.”

It’s unlikely Kraft will take part in any of the remaining preseason games. A goal Kraft has set is to take part in the joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 26. However, it will be up to the training staff and coach Matt LaFleur whether to allow that to happen.

There were some things to like about third-string quarterback Kyle McCord’s performance in the preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a 2-minute drill at the end of the first half that set up a field goal.

But to gain confidence in Gutekunst and the coaches, he’s going to have to produce in the remaining two games.

He completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards. He was sacked twice.

“We talked about the difference every day in practice, and then the different points [of preseason], whether it's Family Night or now preseason games, how important it is to perform,” Gutekunst said. “Kyle is really diligent. He's really smart. He's very consistent day in and day out as far as his preparation.

“And then to see him perform like that in the first preseason game was great to see. And credit to him. A lot of times when you get into those second half of preseason games, there's a lot of moving parts, maybe some moving parts you didn't even work with during that week of practice. So, to see him calm and be able to handle the different situations that he did was good.”

Gutekunst said he saw some of the same things with McCord during his three years at Ohio State and final year at Syracuse.

“He bounced around a little bit when he was at Syracuse, that last year,” he said. “He really led that team to a good season, and he had a great year, and he had a number of games where his accuracy and his poise were really impressive.

“When we had an opportunity to acquire him after the [past] season, it just made some sense. I think he's growing in what Matt's asking him to do, I think this next game will be another step for him to see if he can add on to what he's already done.”

Even though cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring) is out, Kamal Hadden (foot) has missed some time and rookie Domani Jackson (core muscle) has been a non-factor, Gutekunst said he’s not panicking about depth at the position.

Rookie Brandon Cisse has been a regular starter with veteran Keisean Nixon, and free agent Benjamin St-Juste has received some first-team snaps occasionally. First-year pro Jaylin Simpson has worked consistently on the second team and is in the running for a spot on the 53.

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has mostly used safeties Javon Bullard and Kitan Oladapo as his slot corners, although he gave Hadden some snaps there recently.

“I think they're competing great,” Gutekunst said. “When they're getting their opportunities, they are performing well. I think there's been a lot of mix-and-matching. CV's been out for a little bit, and so they're moving guys around.

“But that's what this time of year is for. Sometimes you're going to want to see a younger player go against better receivers to see how they do, and you're just moving guys around to kind of see how that works. So, we're in that phase and just trying to get as much information on these guys as we can before we get to the regular season.”

This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst still working to sign Tucker Kraft to extension