Paul Bretl | 9/30/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — You can’t say that the Packers haven’t at least explored options at the kicker position over the last six months. However, the results largely remain the same–inconsistent.
In search of competition for Anders Carlson, the Packers would sign Jack Podlesny back in January after the 2023 season ended. They then added Greg Joseph during free agency, claimed James Turner on waivers in June, and signed Alex Hale in August.
That competition, however, which was primarily between Carlson and Joseph, underwhelmed. So the Packers went off-script during roster cutdowns and claimed rookie Brayden Narveson on waivers after he had been released by Tennessee. But unfortunately, Narveson is facing a similar fate as the kickers before him.
During Sunday’s game against Minnesota, in what ended up being just a two-point loss for the Packers following a ferocious comeback, Narveson would miss two field goals in the first half–one from 49 yards and one from 37 yards.
“Those are critical misses and it’s unacceptable; hurts,” said Narveson at his locker. “I’m sure you guys can all see it in my face. It hurts. But I just gotta look myself in the mirror, go back to the drawing board and be better. That’s about all I can say about it.”
Narveson didn’t blame the field goal operation, which he called “great.” He didn’t bring up the wind on what was a blustery day at Lambeau Field. He just has to find a way to be better.
The kicker position certainly has its nuances, but the results are cut and dry. Either the attempt went through the uprights or it didn’t. And on a day where the Packers narrowly pulled off an impressive comeback, those missed attempts from Narveson loomed large.
“I swung confident at both kicks. They’re probably a yard in total away from being makes. Unacceptable again. It’s my job. I gotta be better.”
Narveson is now 9-for-9 this season on extra points and 9-for-13 on field goal attempts. Although the stat sheet won’t show it, Narveson has missed a field goal in each game this season, with a penalty on the Titans last week wiping out one of his missed attempts. Perhaps adding salt to the wound for the Packers is that Joseph went 5-for-5 on field goal attempts this past Thursday night with the New York Giants.
After the game, Matt LaFleur still expressed the confidence that he has in Narveson. The response from LaFleur seemed to take on a different, more upbeat tone than when he was asked about Carlson and Joseph countless times during training camp.
The Packers like Narveson’s mental makeup, his resolve, and the confidence in himself he has.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Brayden. I do. I know it’s tough. We all want the results. He’s a young guy, and a lot of times with young kickers, you go through this. Certainly, I know he’s disappointed, but I’ve still got a lot of belief in him. I’ve seen it in practice. I told you guys from Day 1, the day he got here, and have seen his abilities.
“It’s just part of it and, unfortunately, it wasn’t his day, but I’ve got a lot of confidence and won’t blink if we have to put him out there in another situation.”
Ups and downs with a rookie kicker should have been expected. However, this is a Packers team with Super Bowl aspirations and in a game where the margin for winning and losing is oh so small–as we again saw on Sunday–time isn’t necessarily on the Packers side when it comes to getting the kicker situation figured out. It needs to happen now.
By GM Brian Gutekunst’s own admission prior to the season, he can be a bit impatient when it comes to going through the growing pains that come with relying on a young kicker. One could also argue that with the roster that he has, he shouldn’t be–again, the Packers need an answer at this position before it hurts them down the line.
The difficultly, of course, is that the answer isn’t as simple as bringing in someone new. It’s not as if there is an abundance of available quality kickers at this time. But if the team is going to bring in some tryout candidates on Tuesday, a few potential names include Randy Bullock, Riley Patterson, Brett Maher, and Chad Ryland.
So what’s the better alternative: continuing to invest into Narveson and believing he can turn things around or diving further into the unknown with someone new?
For Narveson, he cannot get wrapped up in what might happen or what decisions might be made that are now out of his control. Instead, he’s focused on staying positive, getting back to work for the Packers upcoming game with the Los Angeles Rams, and correcting those mistakes.
“Absolutely it is,” said Narveson when asked if it’s difficult to stay positive. “I care, right? That’s the hardest part. You do this every day, seven days a week, 80 hours, whatever it is. You care. Yeah, it’s hard to be positive but again I go back to a family. I go back to a life. I have a very good support system around me. I gotta look myself in the mirror again and go back to work this week and do better. “