The Green Bay Packers moved on from veteran kicker Mason Crosby before the 2023 season, hoping rookie Anders Carlson would emerge as a reliable option for years to come. One year later, the Packers reportedly attempted to find a replacement for Carlson.
Carlson, the brother of the Pro Bowl kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders, was selected with the 207th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Green Bay drafted him despite Carlson making just 68.4 percent of his field-goal attempts in his final two seasons with the Auburn Tigers.
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- Anders Carlson stats: 81.8% FG, 87.2% XP, 43% touchback rate
However, Carlson never overcame his issues with inaccuracy. Despite struggling in training camp, the Packers kept him around with the hope he would improve over time. While he started his rookie season making 13-of-15 attempts, an 86.7 percent conversion rate, Carlson finished the regular season converting just 81.8 percent of extra-point attempts and 77.8 percent of field-goal attempts. He then missed a critical field goal in the 24-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
According to Bill Huber of Packer Central, the Packers “almost” signed a veteran kicker in NFL free agency. While the player’s name wasn’t revealed, he did verbally agree to a contract that Green Bay offered him. However, he experienced a change of heart at the last moment and signed with another team.
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While the name of the kicker isn’t revealed, four veterans at that position have signed in NFL free agency. Joey Slye signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brandon McManus agreed to a deal with the Washington Commanders, Will Lutz re-signed with the Denver Broncos and Nick Folk stayed with the Tennessee Titans.
“I’m excited to see what he does in Year 2, but there will be competition in the room.”
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Anders Carlson, kicker competition
While the Packers missed out on their preferred option in NFL free agency, the team is reportedly still expected to bring in more competition for Carlson in training camp. Even with the organization still expressing confidence in Carlson publicly, the second-year kicker is expected to have to compete for and earn the job for the 2024 NFL season.
