Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson missed two of his five extra point attempts in the team’s 36-19 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals. After his second miss, fans took to social media once again demanding that the team bring back Mason Crosby, who had been the team’s kicker since 2007.
After the Packers’ 2022 regular season ended with a loss at home to the Detroit Lions, the front office began the process of shifting towards a younger roster. This meant, of course, that Aaron Rodgers would be traded (to the New York Jets) and that several older players on expiring contracts would not be brought back.
Among these players were fan favorites such as Marcedes Lewis, Randall Cobb, and Crosby. Lewis recently signed with the Chicago Bears and Cobb followed Rodgers to New York. Crosby, though, remains unsigned.
Mason Crosby May Play in 2023, but Not for the Green Bay Packers
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It should be noted that neither Crosby nor Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst would 100% rule out the possibility of a reunion in 2023. That being said, the two sides also made it quite clear that they both plan on entering the 2023 apart from each other.
There are several reasons why Crosby will not be returning to Green Bay, despite how badly fans may want him right now. But before we get into those, let’s get one thing out of the way about Anders Carlson.
If Carlson were to be missing kicks to left, to the right, and leaving them short, Green Bay certainly would have a problem. However, Carlson is not missing to left and the only kicks that come up short are attempts from over 55 yards away. When he misses, he always misses to the right.
This is significant because it indicates that the issue in his accuracy is because of a flaw in his technique, a flaw that can be coached out of him. If he can be coached, he is not going anywhere.
That all being said, there are several other things that indicate that Crosby himself does not see a return to Green Bay as a possibility.
1. Mason Crosby Sold His Home in Green Bay and Moved to Nashville
Now, not every player chooses to own a home in the city in which they play. That being said, Crosby has children and would want his family with him wherever he signs. Selling his home in Wisconsin indicates that he has no plan on returning.
2. Molly Crosby Confirmed Their Time in Green Bay Was Over
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After Jonathan Owens was signed by the Packers, his wife, Olympian Simone Biles, asked social media for tips on living in Green Bay. Molly Crosby, Mason’s wife, responded:
“Sad we will miss you, we just ended a 16 year run with the team…that being said…I’ve got stuff I need to share with you. Little city with a big heart and some AMAZING stores and restaurants. We loved our time there and so will you! Let’s talk coats, boots, custom packer gear…”
Later in the summer, Mrs. Crosby responded to a fan question asking whether or not they would return for Packers events:
“Absolutely. Green Bay will always be a place we call home…all five of our children were born here and were heartbroken at the thought of leaving so this is how we explain it to them… ‘Green Bay will always be a soft place for us to land full of people we love and memories we cherish.’ They aren’t buying this yet as adequate to make them feel better but eventually the truth will sink in. We plan to come every summer and hopefully even once a winter (we don’t mind the white stuff lol).”
Therefore, Crosby’s time in Green Bay is not only over professionally speaking, but personally as well.
3. Mason Crosby Was Solid for Many Years, But He Also Had Recent Struggles Similar to Anders Carlson
Perhaps the fact that Crosby is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer has caused many to conveniently forget his low years. For example, Crosby made over 80% of his field goal attempts just once in his first six seasons. The first time he made over 80% was in 2011 when he made 85.7%. That was his fifth year. In his sixth season, he made just 63.6% of his field goals, missing a total of 12.
In 2021, Crosby made just 73.5% of his field goal attempts, the second-worst mark in his career. And while he improved to 86.2% in 2022, it was evident that the power in his leg was gone. Crosby was just 1/4 on field goals of 50 yards or more last season.
The lack of made field goals from long distances were not the only indicator that Crosby had lost something in his game. Just 20.3% of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, his lowest mark since 2010. In fact, over the past four years, his touchback percentages have dropped each season (62.0%, 58.5%, 45.7%, 20.3%).
The chances are high that the Packers roll with Anders Carlson through his struggles. After all, that is what they said they would do, and it is what they did with Crosby throughout his career. The simple fact of the matter is that bringing Crosby back at this point in his career does not guarantee the kicking game will be any better.
In the off-handed chance that Green Bay does bring in a veteran kicker, it likely will not be Crosby for the reasons indicated above. They need someone who can kick to the end zone on kickoffs, and who has the leg power for long field goal attempts.
Carlson can do all of those things; he just needs some time to be coached up. Green Bay should (and will) give him the patience and opportunities that they gave Crosby for so long.
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