Tucker Kraft’s Pickleball Workout Routine: Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has added pickleball to his off-season workout routine in 2025. After first trying the sport earlier this year in Wisconsin, he now plays regularly for fun and fitness. Kraft says the sport helps with cardio and sharpens skills useful for football, like quick movements and strategy.
Tucker Kraft Gets Serious About Pickleball
Tucker Kraft, who plays tight end for the Green Bay Packers, started playing pickleball in February or March 2025. He first played with his wife and her friends at Pickleball Kingdom in Appleton, Wisconsin. Now, the 24-year-old uses pickleball as part of his training.
“By the second time my wife and I played together, I was in. At first I was just playing it because I thought it was fun and I was learning how to play it, and then it evolved into being a part of my offseason training. I’d train four days a week, and on Wednesday and Saturday, I’d play pickleball. We’d run singles for like two straight hours, just for cardio, instead of getting on a bike, using some kind of other cardio machine, or just running. For four or five weeks straight, I was playing three to six hours a week.” – (Kraft)
During the Green Bay Packers’ 2025 Tailgate Tour, Kraft answered a few questions from reporters about pickleball. One of his replies quickly became popular online.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager or an elderly person, you can get this smoke. I’ll take a drop shot on a 90-year-old. I’m not afraid.” – (Kraft)
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Learning the Game Quickly
Tucker Kraft learned the game fast. At first, he compared it to ping pong but quickly learned that more power and movement were needed.
“Some of my wife’s friends got together at Pickleball Kingdom in Appleton, and I went along. I would say it was pretty rough. I was trying to relate it as closely as I could to ping pong, and then I realized that you have to hit the ball a lot harder.” – (Kraft)
“By the end of the night, though, I figured out how to hit a decent forehand. Once you really learn how to serve properly and more consistently with speed and spin, your game just kind of takes off after that because then you can play the game within the game and focus on ball position. If you find yourself at the front of the net more often, a lot of the kitchen play is just a great time.” – (Kraft)
Kraft says he became hooked very quickly.
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Fitness and Football Benefits
Tucker Kraft sees many ways pickleball helps his football game. The sport requires fast direction changes, balance, and focus—skills that also help on the football field.
“One thing for sure is the amount of change in direction. You have to do everything in a level stance. Especially in singles, you’re hitting and retreating, going to retrieve a ball, or just playing the patient dink game and setting up around the kitchen. It’s just about more strategy and patience.” – (Kraft)
Kraft isn’t the only NFL player to pick up a paddle. Many professional athletes are trying pickleball for its health and competitive benefits.
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Playing With Packers Teammates
Tucker Kraft plays often with Luke Musgrave, another tight end for the Green Bay Packers. They play fair and hard at a nearby facility called The Picklr, located just two miles from Lambeau Field.
“Luke’s a good player. He’s as competitive as anybody you put on the court. When we’re out there, we’re playing a gentleman’s game. We’re not giving the BS out calls. We’re trying to play as fair as we can amongst each other.” – (Kraft)
Kraft says he also enjoys aggressive games with friends.
“When I play with my buddies, we play aggressive. We don’t necessarily care if we’re getting pelted because that’s just the competitive nature of the game. You can’t blame that on somebody. Grow up. We already play a violent enough sport.” – (Kraft)
Competing With Everyone
Though he joked about beating elderly players, Kraft respects all opponents and enjoys the challenge each one brings.
“Yeah, I mean, not necessarily every time, but you’ve got to make sure they’re getting up to the net. They can’t just sit back there and expect me to play nice the whole game. But, pickleball’s a sport. It doesn’t matter really the level of athleticism your opponent has because each of their skills might vary. You might have these bigger, older dudes that are in their 60s and 70s that can sit at the front of the net and they’re just a wall and you can’t get anything by them, or you’ve got some young kids that want to smash and play fast. Every player has their own pace, and it’s fun to play around with different people.” – (Kraft)
Kraft also likes to watch pro matches and is a fan of Pickleballtv, especially women’s and mixed doubles.
A Long-Term Passion
Tucker Kraft has quickly made pickleball a key part of his lifestyle. He believes the sport is fun, flexible, and something he’ll enjoy for years to come.
“It’s just an easy sport to play for a long time. As long as you’re having fun, it doesn’t really matter how competitive the games get or who you’re playing with.” – (Kraft)
News in Brief: Tucker Kraft’s Pickleball Workout Routine
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft now includes pickleball in his weekly training. He began playing in early 2025 and quickly became a fan of the game. Kraft believes pickleball helps with cardio and football skills. He also enjoys playing with teammates and watching matches on Pickleballtv.
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