The Green Bay Packers made a number of controversial decisions this past offseason. In addition to deciding to trade Aaron Rodgers in favor of Jordan Love, they allowed several popular players to depart via free agency. While some of these players’ departures were met with understanding (and in some cases, applause), the decision to draft Anders Carlson and not re-sign Mason Crosby was one that still remains unpopular with many Packers fans.
It shouldn’t, for the record. Crosby has a career field goal percentage of 81.4%. This season, Carlson has a field goal percentage of 82.8%. Sure, the Packers probably should not have taken Carlson in the 2023 NFL Draft; they could have signed him as an undrafted free agent. Still, that does not mean they have the wrong kicker on their team right now.
While the Packers were ready to move on from Crosby, he was not ready to move on from football. Ever since the offseason started, Crosby stayed in shape and attempted to find another job in the NFL. Unfortunately, none came for a long time despite there being plenty of need for a reliable veteran kicker.
Crosby was recently signed by the Los Angeles Rams, but did not appear in a game for them before being released. A few days ago, he was signed by the New York Giants and pushed into game action right away on Monday night.
Mason Crosby casually drilling 52-yard FG’s.
Stillllll got it. pic.twitter.com/uCII7u0KoL
— GBP Daily – Rob Westerman lll (@GBPdaily) December 25, 2023
His appearance with the Giants removed him from a special club of former Packers players, a club that now has just one member.
With Mason Crosby Kicking for the New York Giants, Donald Driver Now the Only Green Bay Packers Player in Exclusive Club
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In the long 100+ year history of the Green Bay Packers, there have been just four players to have appeared in over 200 games for the team:
- Mason Crosby- 258
- Brett Favre- 255
- Aaron Rodgers- 230
- Donald Driver- 205
Legends like Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke came close, appearing in 196 and 190 games respectively; but just those four made it to 200.
And now, of those four, Driver is the only one to appear in 200 or more games with the Packers and none with another NFL team:
Donald Driver is now the only Green Bay Packer to play 200+ games with the team and never play elsewhere.
The others to hit this plateau with the Packers all suited up for another team.
Brett Favre: Jets, Vikings
Aaron Rodgers: Jets
Mason Crosby: GiantsDriver’s legend grows. pic.twitter.com/ltbOvmuDz1
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) December 25, 2023
Driver, of course, is the Packers’ franchise leader in receiving yards. Crosby, as mentioned, is the team’s all-time leading scorer, leader in games played, and has the record for most consecutive games played.
Driver himself was not aware of his status:
I didn’t know that…. Okay… https://t.co/MGTEnVTlz7
— Donald Driver (@Donald_Driver80) December 25, 2023
Typical Driver: always humble. That is a big reason why he is still held in high regard with Packers fans.
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