Is Anders Carlson the Next Franchise Kicker?
“Every time he goes out there, I just pray,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. No. He was not talking about seeing Jesus. LaFleur was talking about rookie kicker Anders Carlson prior to the NFC Divisional Round Game last season.
In 2022, Carlson was drafted from Auburn as the expected replacement for Mason Crosby. Packers fans are no strangers to drafting special team players that do not meet expectations. Former Packers punter JK Scott was selected in the fifth round six years ago. He lasted only three seasons before the Packers parted ways. The Packers organization has a history of making drafted rookies earn their keep. Rookie seasons can either prove a player to be an instant playmaker that is worthy of an extended contract, or a lengthy project that the organization does not want to invest in. Based on Carlson’s past season, one might say it demonstrated the latter.
Confidence in the rookie kicker was not strengthened after the make-or-break game at Levi Stadium. Instead of proving he could show up in the more intense, high-pressure moments, Carlson missed a key field goal, essentially ending the season. After leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans, this upcoming season is important for Carlson to prove himself to the Packers organization that he can be their next long-term kicker. A kicker that can show up in crucial moments.
Carlson’s rookie season shook any confidence Packers fans had in the drafted kicker. Mason Crosby was the team’s long-standing kicker who earned everyone’s trust by delivering accuracy in game-changing moments. With Crosby’s tenure, the Packers have had the fewest number of kickers for a team since 1989. One would think the Packers are not exactly hoping to go through multiple kickers before finding “The One.” Who will be the next kicker to take up Crosby’s mantle?
Anders Carlson's field goal percentage of 81.8% ranked 29th in the league, which is comparable to Mason Crosby’s rookie season when he converted 31 of 39 attempts for a 79.5% rate. Statistically, Carlson's performance closely mirrors Crosby's early numbers in terms of field goals. However, Carlson's struggles with extra points have been a significant concern. Extra points are a fundamental part of a kicker’s role, much like swimming is essential for lifeguards. Carlson missed five extra points last season, the highest number of all kickers in 2023, highlighting a troubling lack of reliability in crucial moments. This issue is serious—like Raising Cane's running out of chicken—raising significant doubts about his consistency. Whether the Packers will continue their patience with Carlson will be a key question this season.
In the offseason, the Packers brought in veteran kicker Greg Joseph to add some experience and sharpen everyone's skills. This past Wednesday, the kicker competition was less than thrilling for the small crowd that witnessed it. It turned out to be the roughest day of competition so far. Carlson made four of six attempts, missing wide right from 41 yards, and coming up short and right from 55 yards. Joseph made three of six attempts, hitting the left upright from 45 yards, missing wide left from 55 yards, and going wide right from 49 yards. As Hannah Montana once said, everybody has those days. It could have just been an off day, as both kickers improved on Friday, successfully making field goals from 45, 53, 46, and 52 yards.
Despite some inconsistency, both Packers kickers had solid performances against the Browns last Sunday. Carlson successfully completed field goals from 33 and 46 yards, while Joseph connected on a 35-yarder. They’ll get another chance to showcase their skills and advance in the kicker competition in their second preseason game against the Broncos. Hopefully, this year LaFleur can rely more on the kicker rather than the need for prayer.
