The Green Bay Packers made several controversial decisions during the 2023 NFL offseason. The most noteworthy of these decisions was to trade four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. The thought process behind this move, of course, was to make way for Jordan Love to take over as starting quarterback.
It is a decision that worked out extremely well for both the Packers and Love, who recently signed a four-year $220 million contract extension.
Perhaps the second-most controversial decision Green Bay made was to not re-sign kicker Mason Crosby, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. In 2022, Crosby made 86.2% of his field goals and 94.9% of his extra point attempts.
In an effort to get younger, the Packers replaced him with 2023 sixth-round draft pick, Anders Carlson.
Anders Carlson Struggled for the Green Bay Packers as a Rookie
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
It was clear from early in offseason activities last year that the Packers were in for a wild ride going forward with Carlson as their kicker. While it was apparent that he had a strong leg, his accuracy left much to be desired.
The rookie kicker got off to a surprisingly strong start last season, making every kick he attempted in the Packers’ first five games. After that, though, the struggles began.
Carlson made just 81.8% of his field goals in 2023, which is actually 0.6% higher than Crosby’s career rate. However, he only made 87.2% of his extra point attempts. Carlson also missed at least one kick in 10 of Green Bay’s final 12 games, including a missed field goal in their postseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Green Bay Packers Brought in Competition for Anders Carlson in 2024
Due to Carlson’s struggles in 2023, the Packers made the decision to bring in numerous kickers to add competition for the starting job during OTA’s and training camp.
The most notable of these additions is former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph. Last season, Joseph made 80% if his field goals and 94.7% of his extra point attempts.
The two kickers have been going back and forth all summer, but Joseph has been slightly more accurate than Carlson as of late.
In Green Bay’s 23-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, both kickers got chances to kick. Carlson made both of his field goal attempts and his extra point try. Joseph made his field goal attempt and extra point try as well.
NFL Analyst Predicts the Green Bay Packers Will Release Anders Carlson
In a recent article posted on Bleacher Report, NFL analyst Khristopher Knox wrote of Carlson, “Draft status alone won’t give Carlson an edge. The Packers are playoff contenders, they’re going to carry the most reliable kicker into the regular season, and they’re not going to carry a backup specialist.”
He concluded, “Carlson could be out a year after being drafted.”
Even in Green Bay’s preseason victory in Cleveland, Carlson’s kicks were not necessarily sound. Yes, he made them all; but his attempts also wobbled and shifted in the air giving little confidence that they would actually go through the uprights.
Joseph’s kicks, on the other hand, were sound and sure.
There is still time for Carlson to win his job, but he has to make better contact and leave less doubt.
