GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Tucker Kraft could be the last piece of the puzzle. He also might be the most important.
In an offseason during which the Green Bay Packers signed just about every key player who would have become a free agent next March to long-term contract extensions, Kraft has had to wait his turn.
That's fine with Kraft and the Packers.
But only for a bit.
"I think the best chance for Green Bay to win a Lombardi [Trophy] is with me on the field as well," Kraft said shortly after training camp opened. "That's people under the front office telling me that and the importance of us getting this deal done in a timely fashion. But ultimately, like I've said over and over again, I'm just so grateful to be a part of this organization, and I would like to keep it that way."
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Kraft returned to practice Friday after being activated off the physically unable to perform list sooner than anyone anticipated after last season's torn ACL. He did so without a contract extension; a source told ESPN that talks remain in the preliminary stages and have not picked up yet.
"It's in the best interest to try to get something done, but these things take time," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. "We've gone through a bunch of extensions this summer, kind of knowing this was going to be the one right about now. We have a little bit of time because he's just not there yet, but I would expect hopefully that would get done, but you never know how they're going to go."
In signing receivers Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, the Packers gave out nearly $60 million in signing bonuses.
Kraft's deal will raise that significantly.
Kyle Pitts Sr. of the Atlanta Falcons signed the most recent contract extensions among the top tight ends, getting a three-year, $53 million deal that included a $16.785 million signing bonus. George Kittle and Trey McBride, at $19 million per season, are the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.
The market, however, has lagged behind other positions, in part because so many of the top tight ends have never made it to free agency, instead agreeing to deals before hitting the market.