The Green Bay Packers are moving on from their initial Mason Crosby replacement. Holding a three-man competition at camp, Green Bay still has two of those options on the roster. But the incumbent — Anders Carlson — is no longer in the picture.
Carlson received notice he will be waived today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. This leaves Greg Joseph and UDFA rookie Alex Hale on the team. It would surprise if Joseph is not the pick here, given his experience.
Chosen in the 2023 sixth round, Carlson missed five extra points as a rookie. He missed six field goals as well, going 27-for-33. A costly miss in the Packers’ narrow divisional-round loss to the 49ers ensued as well, and Green Bay went about creating a competition. Joseph, who served as the Vikings’ kicker for the past three seasons, signed this offseason. Also jettisoned after his rookie year (in Cleveland), Joseph has stabilized his career in the NFC North.
Anders Carlson followed his brother (Daniel) by kicking at Auburn en route to being a Day 3 pick. Anders will also traverse his brother’s footsteps, transaction-wise, as an NFC North team (the Vikings) waived Daniel after a short time. Daniel Carlson has since recovered from his Vikings cut, which occurred two games into his career, having bounced back with the Raiders.
Joseph, 30, signed a one-year deal featuring no guaranteed money. If he is on Green Bay’s Week 1 roster, which seems likely, his $1.29MM salary will lock in. Despite kicking primarily in a dome, Joseph fared worse — percentage-wise, that is — than Carlson last season by going 24-for-30 on field goal tries. During the Vikings’ 2022 division-winning season, Joseph made just 78.8% of his FG attempts.
Joseph went 3-for-4 on preseason field goals, with Carlson doing the same this month. This competition spanned months, however, dating back to offseason activities. Teams have until 11am CT on Wednesday to submit waiver claims. Three years remain on Carlson’s rookie deal, making him an interesting option for a kicker-needy club.
Why Was Anders Carlson Cut?
Carlson’s struggles during his rookie season were well-documented. He missed several key kicks, including a 41-yard field goal attempt in the Packers’ playoff loss to the 49ers. He also missed five extra points, which led the NFL. His inconsistency throughout the season left the Packers looking for a more reliable option.
The Packers' Kicking Competition
The Packers brought in veteran kicker Greg Joseph during the offseason to compete with Carlson. Joseph has been a solid kicker in the NFL for several years, and he was the clear favorite to win the job. The Packers also had rookie Alex Hale on the roster, but Hale is unlikely to make the team. The Packers clearly felt that Joseph was the best option for the kicking job, and they were willing to move on from Carlson despite his status as a sixth-round draft pick.
What's Next for Anders Carlson?
It’s unclear what the future holds for Carlson. He has three years left on his rookie contract, so he could potentially be claimed by another team. However, with his struggles in Green Bay, it’s not a guarantee that another team will take a chance on him. Carlson will likely have to prove himself in the NFL once again. He may have to go through the waiver process. His journey may include a stint on a practice squad. Regardless of the path, Carlson has to work hard to get another opportunity to kick in the NFL.
Final Thoughts
The Packers’ decision to cut Carlson is a bold one, especially considering that they used a sixth-round draft pick on him a year ago. However, the team is clearly looking for a more reliable kicker, and they believe that Joseph is the best option to fill that role. It will be interesting to see how Carlson’s career unfolds from here.
