After 16 historic seasons in the NFL as a Green Bay Packer, the departure of long-time franchise kicker Mason Crosby after the 2022 season has unfolded a series of events that has left the Packers desperate to attain stability and consistency at the position. A rather disappointing rookie season from sixth-round draft pick Anders Carlson in 2023, a less-than-impressive preseason, and a poor start to 2024 from undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson have led the Packers special teams back to the drawing board.
In signing veteran kicker Brandon McManus on Tuesday, head coach Matt LaFleur hopes to end the Sundays in which the pigskin fails to soar through the bright yellow uprights.
Has Green Bay Come Across the Answer To Their Kicking Conflict?
What Happened After Crosby?
Approaching 39 years of age and being replaced by Green Bay’s punter for kickoff duties meant it was time to let Mason Crosby venture elsewhere. After a mutual agreement was made to discontinue Crosby’s contract and kick him out of the locker room, the keys had been handed to Anders Carlson.
Carlson in 2023
Carlson was 27/33, only 50 percent on kicks from 40-49 yards out, and missed six extra points during his one-year tenure with Green Bay in 2023. Among these included a missed field goal in a two-point loss against the Broncos in Week 7 and a missed field goal late against San Francisco in a divisional matchup they lost 24-21.
Training Camp and Preseason for Packers Special Teams
A performance like Carlson’s wasn’t enough to secure him the job for 2024 as he competed with veteran Greg Joseph for the Packers starting spot in the preseason. Unfortunately, it did not go as planned for the Packers special teams.
Both kickers had rocky starts to training camp, with Carlson making 54 of 67 kicks (80.8%) and Joseph going 54 for 69 (78.9%). That was enough for Green Bay to kick both Carlson and Joseph to the curb and bring in the Titans undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson.
Although Narveson was just 21 for 28 (75%) in training camp, he impressed during the preseason, missing on just one kick from 58 yards out. Soon after, Narveson would be the Packers starting kicker for the 2024 season.
Well, maybe just part of it.
Narveson in 2024
The rookie was quick to test the patience of general manager Brian Gutekunst, missing a kick in each of their first two regular-season matchups of the year and failing to put the ball between the goalposts in the two attempts he had in Week 4 against Minnesota. Confidence in the rookie dwindled further as he struggled to perform, hitting on just 12 of 17 kicks in six games.
This called for yet another change in the position midway through the season.
The Newest Arrival for Packers Special Teams
The Packers have announced that they will be moving on from the rookie and starting eleven-year veteran Brandon McManus in Week 7. After relying on a pair of rookies to connect on the Packers three-pointers over the course of the last year and a half, Green Bay will now turn to an experienced talent on fourth downs.
With Green Bay attempting the second most field goals despite not trying from 50 yards or more, the Packers need someone to count on in close games and from long distances to keep his team afloat. As far as keeping your team afloat is concerned, McManus does it as well as anyone. Consistency is key, and McManus has been just that in his illustrious career, especially in the playoffs.
McManus was a perfect 10/10 in three games for the Denver Broncos in the 2015 playoffs and was a crucial piece to their Super Bowl win against Carolina. McManus made five kicks in a 23-16 win over Pittsburgh in the divisional round and two kicks in a 20-18 win in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
And if Green Bay was looking for a kicker that is anything reminiscent of Crosby, McManus is quite literally that guy. In their respective careers, McManus and Crosby are 58th and 59th all-time in field goal percentage, better than any of the percentages the training camp trio achieved.
With plenty left to prove, McManus seems to be the answer that LaFleur has been seeking. If McManus can start off strong and carry that momentum, it will have a positive impact on LaFleur’s decision-making on stalled drives and late-game scenarios.
There is no doubt Titletown found their guy.
Main Image: Mark Hoffman – USA Today Sports
