Packers' Tucker Kraft still optimistic after tough loss to Lions

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Packers' Tucker Kraft still optimistic after tough loss to Lions

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 26, 2026 8:02 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers were hoping to secure a four-game winning streak and perhaps put the pain of their tough start to the 2026 season firmly in the past.

Instead, all of the question marks and issues that plagued the Packers during their 1-2 start popped up in their Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions on the road.

Troubles with the offensive line? Check. Self-inflicted wounds like penalties and dropped passes? Check.

Questionable play-calling and the inability to capitalize on the moment?

You bet.

And yet, the Packers were in a position to win that game on the road against Detroit, and that's even considering the multiple times they were absolutely screwed by the officials.

Perhaps that's why star tight end Tucker Kraft doesn't sound completely hopeless about the state of his team after the loss to the Lions. This, despite the fact that they're now officially in the basement of the NFC North.

Per Kraft, there's still time for the Packers to prove who they really are and can be. He believes in their ability to bounce back.

"We know what we're made of," Kraft told the media. "We got to keep our head down and keep going. That's the only thing we can do, the season is still young. We're going to put it together. We're going to get on another streak."

#Packers Tucker Kraft on who they are right now at 4-3.

"We know what we're made of. We got to keep our head down and keep going. That's the only thing we can do, the season is still young. We're going to put it together. We're going to get on another streak."#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/bz8B7noJZM
— Vince Lovergine (@Vince_Lovergine) October 26, 2026

Tucker Kraft and the Green Bay Packers must bounce back on "Thursday Night Football"

If the Packers are going to start a streak in Week 8, it's going to have to come on short rest against the Carolina Panthers on "Thursday Night Football."

The Pack won't get much time to lick their wounds or try to heal their walking wounded. They'll be playing on Thursday night for the second time this season, and they're at a disadvantage, even at home, because multiple integral players are currently on the injury report.

That's a list that includes two players who started on the offensive line against Detroit: center Sean Rhyan and guard Travis Glover.

Micah Parsons has also yet to practice this season, and it's unlikely that the Packers will take him off the PUP heading into a short week.

The Packers are banged up, without a doubt, but even so, they haven't been consistently good at any one thing yet this season.

Kraft is being optimistic, but he'll also need to play a role in the Pack getting back on track. He caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Lions, but in general, he has not lived up to the high level of play that he displayed before he tore his ACL in early November of last season.

He's selling optimism, but there's a chance that neither he nor the Packers can deliver on that promise on short rest against the Panthers.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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