The Green Bay Packers aren’t satisfied with their kicking competition this spring during OTAs. The team has requested to bring in another star kicker to possibly compete with Anders Carlson during training camp later next month.
Competition at kicker this spring

The Packers brought in two free agents to compete with Carlson this spring, former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph and undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny. Thus far, Carlson appears to be kicking well during OTAs. However, the Packers want to cover their bases after last season
Anders Carlson struggled his rookie season

Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
As previously discussed by Robin Adams with WSH, Carlson had a difficult rookie year:
From early in OTA’s there were two things that stood out about Carlson: he had a cannon for a leg and he was going to be a work in progress.
As Packers fans know, Carlson was incredibly inconsistent as a rookie. While his 81.8% field goal percentage is slightly better than Crosby’s career percentage (81.2%), Carlson struggled on extra points and from distances that should not have been difficult for him.
Last season, Carlson made just 87.2% of his extra point attempts. He was also just 4/8 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards. Frustratingly, Carlson also missed at least one kick in 10 of his last 12 games, including in the NFL Playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers requested to host a UFL star kicker

According to Aaron Wilson with KPRC, the Packers requested to host All-UFL kicker Jake Bates for a visit. The Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens have also requested to visit with the UFL star.
Bates had a stellar year for the Michigan Panthers. He went 17/22 on field goals during the regular season. His long was from 64 yards. The Arkansas standout was initially signed by the Houston Texans in 2023 but was released during training camp last year.
Bates had a lot of use during the Panthers’ 31-18 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday. He went 4/6 on field goals, including nailing a 53-yard kick. Bates did have a miscue on a kickoff in the second quarter. He kicked the ball out of bounds following a score, which would give the Stallions the ball at the 50-yard line. The Stallions would score a touchdown on the next play.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks.