The Green Bay Packers are known for creating competition at positions throughout OTAs and training camp. Head Coach Matt LaFleur has been very vocal about having guys “win their starting job” before the season starts.
That is certainly no different this season, and one full time starter from last year had a moment to remember at practice today.
Green Bay Packers Starter Has Moment To Remember At Practice Today
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
According to local sports anchor Kyle Malzhan:
Whole team was around the field goal operation at the end of practice. They were all hollering to cause distraction.
Jordan Love waving a towel. It was Anders Carlson nailing a 53-yard FG to end practice and the whole team rushed him all hype. Think I saw Anders hit the griddy.
Anders Carlson drills the FG, PACKERS WIN✅ pic.twitter.com/exXFnp5m5X
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) December 24, 2023
Anders Carlson Looks To Rebound From The 2023 Season
It wasn’t entirely surprising that the Packers stuck with Carlson during his rookie season. Last season, Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round pick and brother of Raiders two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson, made 27 of 33 field-goal attempts.
In all, he missed six shots from 40 yards or more, going 4 of 8 from 40-to-49 yards and 3 of 5 from 50 yards or more. A costly fifth extra point was blocked by wing blocker Josiah Deguara in a four-point loss to the Steelers, however Carlson led the NFL with four missed extra points. In a Divisional Round loss to the 49ers by three points, Carlson missed another crucial field goal attempt, this one from 41 yards in the fourth quarter.
Last season, Carlson missed kicks in nine of Green Bay’s final 12 games, including the playoffs. Due to this, the Packers signed former Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny, 24, to a reserve/future deal and added veteran kicker Greg Joseph in free agency.
There is no guarantee that Carlson will be more consistent in 2024, but the Packers hope competition will bring out the best in him. So far it seems to be working.
