Did the Packers just hand a starting job to a rookie?
The Green Bay Packers have a need for the first time in 16 seasons and it's not the quarterback position. It's the placekicker position. Longtime starter, Mason Crosby, is officially out of the picture and there doesn't seem to be a reunion in sight. Especially after the Packers drafted former Auburn Tiger Anders Carlson in […]
The Green Bay Packers have a need for the first time in 16 seasons and it's not the quarterback position.
It's the placekicker position.
Longtime starter, Mason Crosby, is officially out of the picture and there doesn't seem to be a reunion in sight. Especially after the Packers drafted former Auburn Tiger Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Carlson was set to compete with Parker White over the course of the offseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore because, per KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, the Packers waived White on Monday.
Teams can obviously find kickers anywhere, but this is a very interesting move because the Packers have it made it very clear that they really like Carlson. Especially special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. It's hard to see Carlson falling out of favor unless he simply doesn't live up to expectations.
"He's [Bisaccia's] very high on him [Anderson]," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters during rookie minicamp. "Obviously, having a history there with with his brother and he's known him for a while, now. So, [it] definitely made a big impact to be picked by us. He's a talented, talented guy and we're excited – he's got a big leg. Certainly, he's far from a finished product, by far. He didn't kick with a brace on this week at all, which I think is going to help him and we're just excited about the talent there."
There's still a chance the Packers add another placekicker for competition. The roster still sits at 88 players, per the team's website, because per Wilson, Green Bay also signed running back Emanuel Wilson on Monday.
But, even then, it looks like this is Carlson's job to lose, ultimately.
