Packers sign former Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny
The days of Anders Carlson kicking without competition for the Green Bay Packers are over. On Wednesday, the team signed a futures deal with former Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny, with the idea that both will compete for a roster spot next offseason — and potentially into training camp. Bill Huber, who covers the Packers for […]
The days of Anders Carlson kicking without competition for the Green Bay Packers are over. On Wednesday, the team signed a futures deal with former Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny, with the idea that both will compete for a roster spot next offseason — and potentially into training camp. Bill Huber, who covers the Packers for SI, reported the move.
Jack Podlesny is 23 years old and went undrafted last year after a successful college career at Georgia, where he won two national championships, in 2021 and 2022. He was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and a First-Team All-SEC as a senior in 2022.
After being undrafted, Podlesny signed with the Minnesota Vikings. However, he was waived in August, not making the 53-man roster. He spent the entire regular season as a free agent, not signing with any team's practice squad either. Now, he has signed a futures deal with the Packers, which means he will be a part of the 90-man roster when the new league year begins in March.
Kicking problems
The Packers issue at kicker was exacerbated in the divisional round, because rookie Anders Carlson missed a key 41-yard field goal that would have put Green Bay seven points ahead of the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, the Packers stayed just four points ahead, and then the 49ers reversed the score with a go-ahead touchdown.
"I think there's a lot to learn," Anders Carlson said after the elimination. "For me, it's tough to see these guys because I know how much they put in. I just want to put them in the best position possible. Just thinking about them and working for them."
But that wasn't the only mistake by Carlson — by the way, no other kicker in the NFL missed so many opportunities in 2023. Carlson missed a total of 13 kicks combining regular season and postseason — seven field goals and six extra points. He missed an extra point against the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round and a field goal against the 49ers.
Carlson had a big issue converting middle and long kicks. Considering kicks from 40 or more yards, Carlson converted only seven of 14 field goals.
Comparison
Green Bay's decision to draft Anders Carlson in the sixth round was based on Rich Bisaccia's knowledge and desire. After all, the Packers special teams coordinator coached Anders' brother, Daniel Carlson, with the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, Jack Podlesny went undrafted and had a much better college career.
During his three years as a starter in Georgia, Podlesny converted 82.2% of his field goals and 98.9% of his extra points. During his senior season, he converted 83.9% of field goals and 98.6% of extra points. His biggest issue was longer kicks — his accuracy over 40 yards was just 57%.
Meanwhile, Anders Carlson played five seasons at Auburn. He had a 71.8% conversion rate on field goals, and 98.3% on extra points. In his senior season, Carlson converted 70.6% of his field goals and all of his extra points — they are shorter in college football.
Missed opportunities by the Packers resulted in yet another painful loss
Green Bay lost to San Francisco in the divisional round
