The Green Bay Packers had plenty of ups and downs throughout the 2023 season; that is part of what happens when you have the youngest team in the NFL. While some units, such as the offense, were able to find consistency and play at a high level, that was not the case for everyone.
One of the areas of the team in which the Packers wish they had more consistency was on special teams. The team has an All-Pro return man in cornerback Kiesean Nixon, but the rest of the unit at times left something to be desired.
Chief among them was rookie kicker Anders Carlson. Everyone was focused on Jordan Love having to replace a legend at quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, but Carlson was in a similar boat. He was replacing Mason Crosby, who had been the team’s primary kicker for 16 years before moving on this past offseason.
Carlson was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Packers were intrigued by his huge leg, as Carlson could kick the ball a mile. Those kicks being accurate, however, were another story.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Anders Carlson, Jack Podlesny, Green Bay Packers Updates
While Carlson got off to a good start in the season, making his first 17 field goals and extra points, he was shaky down the stretch. He finished the season 20-of-26 on field goal attempts after making his first seven and 19-of-24 on extra points after making his first 15.
His 41-yard miss against the San Francisco 49ers drastically changed the game, which the Packers eventually lost 24-21. He missed at least one kick in each of the last five games of the season, including the playoffs.
The confidence of head coach Matt LaFleur has certainly wavered. As a result, the Packers could make a change at the position. They signed former Minnesota Vikings kicker Jack Podlesny earlier this week to provide Carlson with some competition this offseason.
Podlesny was brought in by the Vikings after going undrafted in 2023. In his final season at Georgia, he was excellent, winning SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, going 26-for-31 on field goal attempts and missing only one of his 74 extra points.
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