The Green Bay Packers have officially released their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. There were plenty of surprises on it, including the news that running back AJ Dillon was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering his second neck injury in the past nine months. In the hours leading up to the release of the roster, it was also announced that the Packers had released both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt.
The decision to release both backup quarterbacks came less than a day after Green Bay acquired Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Clifford is expected to be signed back onto the practice squad.
Pratt was just one of two 2024 Green Bay draft picks to not make the 53-man roster. Seventh-round cornerback Kalen King was the other.
The Green Bay Packers Released Embattled Kicker Anders Carlson
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Another surprising move, to some, that was made before the release of the Packers 53-man roster was the decision to release kicker Anders Carlson. Green Bay had originally selected Carlson in the sixth-round 2023 NFL Draft to replace their all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby.
But Carlson struggled in 2023, making just 81.8% of his field goals and 87.2% of his extra points. He also missed at least one kick in 10 of Green Bay’s last 12 games, including their Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers by the score of 25-22.
In order to improve the kicker position, the Packers brought in former Minnesota Vikings player Greg Joseph to compete with Carlson. Last season, Joseph made 80.0% of his field goals and 94.7% of his extra points.
Over the weekend, the Packers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 30-7 in their final preseason game. Carlson made a 54-yard field goal (barely) but missed an easy 32-yard chip shot. Joseph, meanwhile, drilled his 55-yard attempt.
On Tuesday, the Packers revealed that Joseph had made the 53-man roster.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre Says Jordan Love Should Just “Go For It” on Every 4th Down
A post from the popular Packers news outlet Cheesehead TV jokingly told fans that Green Bay was looking for anyone able to kick to report to Lambeau Field for a tryout.
Former Packers quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre re-posted it, joking that Jordan Love should just go for it on every fourth down:
Obviously, Favre is not being serious, but given his gunslinger nature at the quarterback position during his playing career, one has to wonder if part of him really thinks this would be his preferred strategy anyway.
