The Green Bay Packers’ Kicking Conundrum: 4 Alternatives to Consider If They Release Brayden Narveson
Here we go again—the Green Bay Packers find themselves facing a familiar issue: a kicking problem.
Unfortunately, the solution doesn’t appear to be on the current roster.
Rookie kicker Brayden Narveson had a rough outing during Green Bay’s narrow 31-29 loss to Minnesota, missing field goals from 37 and 49 yards. His performance this season stands at a disappointing 9-of-13, translating to a mere 69.2%.
“Those are critical misses, and it’s unacceptable. It hurts,” Narveson acknowledged. “I’m sure you can see it in my face. It hurts. But I have to look myself in the mirror, go back to the drawing board, and improve. That’s all I can say about it.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed his support for Narveson after the game, emphasizing the young kicker’s potential. However, it’s important to note that personnel decisions fall under the purview of general manager Brian Gutekunst, who has struggled to secure a dependable kicker since choosing not to re-sign veteran Mason Crosby following the 2022 season.
“I have a lot of confidence in Brayden,” LaFleur stated. “I know it’s tough. We all want the results. He’s a young guy, and young kickers often go through these phases. I know he’s disappointed, but I still believe in him.”
Unfortunately, Narveson has missed a kick in three out of the Packers’ four games so far. In the lone game where he didn’t miss, he attempted a field goal that was nullified by an offside penalty on Tennessee.
Finding a reliable kicker this late in September isn’t easy, but if Gutekunst decides to explore the market, there are several intriguing options available.
Here’s a look at some kickers currently looking for an opportunity:
Matthew Wright
Wright has suited up for four different teams across 23 games, successfully converting 47-of-59 field goals (85.1%) and 35-of-37 extra points (94.6%). Despite his solid performance, he hasn’t found a new home since losing a competition in Pittsburgh to veteran Chris Boswell. All he needs is a chance.
Riley Patterson
Similar to Wright, Patterson has shown consistent performance but has struggled to find a permanent spot. He has converted 59-of-67 field goals (88.1%) and 93-of-97 extra points (95.9%) throughout his career. After losing a kicking battle in Washington this summer, he could be a significant upgrade over Narveson.
Randy Bullock
The 34-year-old Bullock boasts an extensive career with eight teams over 12 seasons. He has successfully made 216 of 259 career field goals (83.4%) and 295 out of 308 extra points (95.8%). Over the last three years, he’s converted 48-of-57 field goals (84.2%) and 80 of 83 extra points (96.4%).
Anders Carlson
While this option might raise eyebrows among Packer fans, Carlson could be a more reliable choice than Narveson. Selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, Carlson had a challenging first season, finishing 29-of-36 on field goals (80.6%) and 41-of-47 on extra points (87.2%). He had a competitive summer against veteran Greg Joseph for Green Bay’s kicking position before both were released. Despite last year’s inconsistencies, Carlson showed improvement during training camp and was more accurate than Narveson has been.
As the Packers weigh their options, it’s clear that a reliable kicker is essential for their success moving forward.