Packers Taking a Hard Look at Kicker Situation
Packers coach Matt LaFleur insists he believes in Brayden Narveson. However, the rookie kicker’s struggles have prompted the team to bring two new kickers in for tryouts this Tuesday.
Seeking Some Kick Magic!
Ah, the life of an NFL kicker! The Packers put kickers Chad Ryland and Lucas Havrisik through their paces. Also present were quarterback Gavin Hardison and wide receiver Lideatrick Griffin. Talk about a busy day at Lambeau! Havrisik kicked for the Rams last season, notching 15 of his 20 field goals and 19 out of 22 extra points. Meanwhile, Ryland worked the magic toes for the Patriots in all 17 games last year, nailing 16 of his 25 field goals and 24 of his 25 extra points.
Narveson’s Rocky Road
Sadly, Narveson has been on a bumpy ride. He’s already missed four field goal attempts. And, to top that off, there’s the missed 48-yarder against the Titans, although it didn’t count due to a penalty. Still, he’s made only 69.2 percent of his field goals, and he hasn’t even attempted one from 50 yards or more!
NFL statistics aren’t exactly in his favor either. Narveson is the lone kicker in the NFL to miss a field goal under 40 yards this season. Sunday’s loss to the Vikings saw him miss from 37 yards, painfully underscoring the point. Can you believe it? NFL kickers are 115-for-116 from under 40 yards in 2024, but our man Narveson just had to be the exception.
Carlson and Joseph—The Veterans We Let Go
Reflecting on Anders Carlson, the team’s kicker from last season, who went head-to-head with veteran Greg Joseph in training camp, adds a layer of irony. Ultimately, the Packers claimed Narveson off waivers from the Titans, cutting both Carlson and Joseph. How’s that for a kicker in the guts?
The Million-Dollar Question
The pressing question remains: Will LaFleur stick with Narveson? As the emotional winds swirl and the tension in Packerland builds, the next few games are sure to serve up some high-stakes drama.
Stay tuned, Packer faithful! The kicker carousel is spinning, and who knows where it will stop? All eyes will be on those precision boots as the Packers try to get their groove back and aim for those crucial wins. Football, it’s a wild and unpredictable ride, packed with thrills and spills—and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
