Packers HC Matt LaFleur is willing to be patient with rookie despite early inconsistency
The kicking situation for the Green Bay Packers is still a question mark. The team cut Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph to claim Brayden Narveson off waivers from the Tennessee Titans. While the rookie has probably been better than the previous options, inconsistency is still an issue. In his first game, against the Philadelphia Eagles […]
The kicking situation for the Green Bay Packers is still a question mark. The team cut Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph to claim Brayden Narveson off waivers from the Tennessee Titans. While the rookie has probably been better than the previous options, inconsistency is still an issue.
In his first game, against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, Narveson converted kicks from 31, 23, and 26, but missed a costly 43-yarder late in the game. Against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field, he converted from 46, 42, and 34, but missed another one from 43.
At least, Narveson made all three extra points he tried, which is already an upgrade over what they had in Carlson.
Even though the rookie has had his struggles and this is ultimately a call from general manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur is willing to give him a chance.
"I'd say, from my perspective, pretty patient," LaFleur said. "I like his mentality, I like his talent. There's going to be some ups and downs. Hopefully, there's more ups than downs. I do think he's done a pretty nice job. He needs to make that field goal, he knows, we all know it, but I'm confident if he's in that situation again, he'll hit it."
So far, Brayden Narveson has converted six of eight field goals, which is 75% — worse than Carlson's numbers from last year, when he made 81.8% of the field goals. However, Carlson missed more extra points than anyone in the NFL in 2023, converting only 34 of 39 (87.2%), while Narveson made all three he has tried.
Anders Carlson also struggled in the 40-49 area, converting four of eight last season — he also missed a costly 41-yarder in the divisional round of the playoffs last season against the San Francisco 49ers.
Narveson missed both from 43, and he has also made 50% of his kicks from 40-49. The rookie has converted all kicks from less than 40, and hasn't kicked a field goal from 50+ yet.
An undrafted rookie, Brayden Narveson spent training camp and preseason with the Tennessee Titans, but ultimately lost the battle to veteran Nick Folk. After being waived on final roster cuts, he was claimed by the Packers. On Sunday, he will play against his former team in Nashville.
Beyond Narveson, the Packers also have rookie kicker Alex Hale on the practice squad. As a member of the International Pathway Program, he doesn't count against the 16-man practice squad limit. But if the Packers want, Hale can be eventually elevated for gameday (up to three times) or promoted to the 53-man roster throughout the season.