The Green Bay Packers decided to move on from four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers following the 2022 season. This decision, of course, was made in order to allow 2020 first round draft pick Jordan Love to take over as their starter. When Love was drafted back in 2020, it was because Green Bay wanted to develop him to eventually take over for their future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
So far, that decision looks like it was the right one.
In addition to trading Rodgers to the New York Jets, the Packers also decided to move on from other notable fan-favorite veterans. Among these was kicker Mason Crosby, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Unlike the situation at quarterback, the Packers did not have a replacement right away when they made their decision.
And the player they chose to take his place did not last long.
Anders Carlson Did Not Last Long as the Kicker of the Green Bay Packers
Of course, that player was Anders Carlson, whom the Packers drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He came into Green Bay with a great deal of scrutiny due to the fact that many draft experts believed he was not worth a pick. If the Packers had really wanted him, they could have signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Carlson did little to reassure fans in training camp and preseason games that year. While he has an incredible range, he is also wildly inconsistent. Many who believed it was a mistake to move on from Crosby continued to say so when the season began.
But to be fair, the Auburn product did get off to a good start during his rookie season. He made every single one of his kicks through the Packers’ first five games and missed only two field goals (his only missed kicks) through their first seven.
Then the wheels fell off.
Carlson went on to miss at least one kick in 10 of Green Bay’s final 12 games, including their two postseason contests. He ended his rookie season with an 81.8% field goal percentage and a terrible 87.2% extra point percentage.
He went on to lose the kicker job to Greg Joseph (who was cut in favor of Brayden Narveson, who was eventually replaced by Brandon McManus) and was released.
Anders Carlson Will Join Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets This Weekend
Since being released by the Packers, Carlson has bounced around the NFL a bit, trying out for multiple teams. He was recently signed by the San Francisco 49ers after injuries to Jake Moody and Matthew Wright. Carlson appeared in two games for the 49ers, making all five of his field goal attempts, including a career-long 55-yarder.
He did, however, miss one of his four extra point attempts.
Now that Moody is healthy, though, San Francisco decided to cut the former Packers kicker. Carlson was not out of a job for long as the Jets signed him to their practice squad.
And it is a good thing they did.
On Thursday, it was announced that Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was going on injured reserve with a knee injury. To replace him, the Chiefs signed Spencer Shrader, who the Jets had signed to replace their own injured kicker, Greg Zuerlein.
Without their two top kicking choices, the Jets will be forced to elevate Carlson from their practice squad to kick for them on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
The saga continues for the former Packers kicker.
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