2024 is coming to an end, and it sure has been a year to forget for former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson. After the New Year began, he missed multiple kicks in the NFL Playoffs, including a field goal that ended up being the difference in Green Bay’s 25-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
Due to his inconsistencies, Carlson was not guaranteed the starting job entering the 2024 offseason activities despite being a 2023 NFL Draft pick. Instead, the Packers signed former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition.
Neither Carlson nor Joseph, however, performed well in OTA’s, training camp, or preseason games. As a result, Green Bay released both of them in favor of Brayden Narveson (who was eventually replaced by Brandon McManus).
Former Green Bay Packers Kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph Bounced Around the NFL
As fans may recall, Carlson was cut first and Joseph on the initial 53-man roster. It was not until a day after the initial roster came out that Joseph was released and replaced with Narveson.
Following their departures from Green Bay, both Joseph and Carlson tried out for a spot of the Detroit Lions practice squad. As was the case earlier with the Packers, Joseph beat Carlson out and was signed.
Eventually, Joseph was signed by the New York Giants when their kicker was placed on injured reserve. In six games with the Giants, he made 81.3% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points. He was released, though, when their kicker got healthy.
Meanwhile, Carlson ended up getting a practice squad gig with the 49ers. He was elevated to their active roster when both their kickers were injured. In two games with San Francisco, he made 100% of his field goals, but only 75% of his extra points. When Jake Moody got healthy, Carlson was released again.
Joseph was picked up by the Washington Commanders for a game, and made two of three field goals and both of his extra points. Once again, though, he was released shortly after
Carlson ended up getting the New York Jets kicker job when Greg Zuerlein went on injured reserve. In five games, he made eight of 10 field goals and nine of 11 extra points. However, he struggled mightily in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams, missing both a field goal and extra point.
Due his struggles and Zuerlein getting healthy, the Jets signed Joseph to their practice squad.
The New York Jets Have Cut Anders Carlson in Favor of Greg Joseph
New York activated Zuerlein for their game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but no field goals or extra points were attempted.
On Tuesday, the team announced that Zuerlein was going back on injured reserve, ending his season. They also announced that they were signing Joseph to their active roster and, therefore, releasing Carlson:
With the regular season just about over, it appears that Carlson will end the year without a team.
It will be interesting to see where he lands next year, if anywhere.
