In a move that could signal a changing of the guard for the third consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers are potentially on the brink of welcoming a new face to their placekicking role. Last season saw rookie Anders Carlson taking the reins, but his tenure is hanging by a thread following the Packers’ recent acquisition of Greg Joseph, as confirmed by Joseph’s agent, Brett Tessler. Joseph, a former Viking, is parting ways with Minnesota after a three-season stint, setting the stage for what promises to be a gripping kicking contest at the Packers’ training camp.
The decision to bring Joseph into the fold hardly comes as a shock, especially considering Carlson’s struggles throughout the majority of the 2023 season. Despite a promising start where he nailed his first seven field goal attempts, Carlson’s performance took a nosedive post-Week 6, with his success rate plummeting to 76.9%. His difficulties were highlighted by a critical miss in the fourth quarter of the Packers’ 24-21 divisional round playoff defeat to the 49ers, marking the beginning of a five-game streak of missed kicks (field goals or extra points). Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed his frustration and the need for consistency, acknowledging Carlson’s potential but emphasizing the importance of reliability in the league.
Carlson did manage to secure an 81.8% success rate on his kicks as a rookie, marginally outperforming Joseph’s 80% field goal success rate with the Vikings last year. However, Joseph brings to the table a proven track record of clutch performances, including five game-winning field goals in 2022—an NFL single-season record. His remarkable feat includes a franchise-record 61-yard field goal that clinched a victory over the Giants in December 2022. Furthermore, Joseph’s proficiency in extra points, boasting a 94.7% success rate last season, starkly contrasts with Carlson’s 87.2%, the lowest in the league among kickers with more than 25 attempts.
Yet, Carlson might find a glimmer of hope in Joseph’s historical struggles at Lambeau Field. Transitioning from predominantly indoor stadiums, Joseph faces the challenge of improving his 42.9% field goal success rate at the iconic venue. This brewing competition is set to be a focal point of intrigue as Joseph aims to secure his place in Green Bay, potentially marking the end of Carlson’s tenure, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Carlson, who stepped in to fill the shoes of long-time Packers kicker Mason Crosby in 2023, now faces the possibility of being replaced if Joseph emerges victorious in this head-to-head battle for the kicker’s spot.