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Tucker Kraft #85 of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on November 28, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers have completed the majority of their NFL offseason. Now, the focus has turned to the upcoming 2026 season.

Last year, the team was a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the NFC before injuries completely derailed the year. They saw multiple stars go down with season-ending injuries.

Two of those stars were tight end Tucker Kraft and pass rusher Micah Parsons.

Kraft went down with a torn ACL against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9. Parsons, on the other, suffered a torn ACL against the Denver Broncos later in the year.

Recently, the Packers’ general manager, Brian Gutekunst, spoke out on Siriux XM Radio with an update about both star players. The update is all good news for Green Bay.

“They’re doing great,” Gutekunst said. “Tuck’s been in here every day, and he’s obviously a little bit ahead of schedule, just because his injury happened earlier than Micah’s did. But Micah’s such a — he’s a little bit of a freak. So I think some of that has taken over, and he’s doing really well, as well.”

“So, certainly expect both of those guys back early in the season. And they’ll be a big part of what we’re doing moving forward.”

Tucker Kraft Has Been an Emerging Superstar for the Packers

Before going down with the injury last season, Kraft had shown a much-improved skill-set. In eight games played, the 25-year-old tight end caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns.

Kraft was on pace for a massive season. While the injury slowed him down, he has been attacking the rehab process. He will be on a mission to prove that he can be better post-injury than he was before.

Looking at the 2026 season, the Packers’ offense is going to need a big year from Kraft. Both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are gone from the wide receiver room. That should open up more opportunity for Kraft as a target for Jordan Love.

Assuming he’s able to get back on the field early on in the season, another big year should be expected from him.

Green Bay’s Defense Completely Revolves Around Micah Parsons

On the other side of the football, Parsons was having a great first year with Green Bay in 2025. He had totaled 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a defended passs in the 14 games he played.

After Parsons went down for the year, everything changed for the Packers’ defense. They could no longer get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the secondary paid the price as well.

Heading into the upcoming season, Green Bay will lean heavily on Parsons again. In order to be a Super Bowl contender, the Packers badly need a healthy Parsons getting after the quarterback.

Parsons has been highly motivated to prove his doubters wrong upon coming back from the ACL tear. Hopefully, the rest of the process goes smoothly and he can make his return by Week 4.