The Green Bay Packers’ kicker for 2024 could be on a different roster

The competition was anything but inspiring.

Nearly a month into training camp, Green Bay Packers kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph have both had their moments, but overall their numbers are extremely mediocre.

Aside from the second practice, which took place in pouring rain, and practice number 11, which was hit by strong gusts of wind, the conditions for kicking were ideal all summer long. However, neither Joseph nor Carlson took advantage of this.

Joseph, a five-year veteran who kicked for Minnesota the past three seasons, made 49 of 60 (81.7%) in practice. Joseph had his worst performance of the summer in practice on Wednesday, when he made just 3 of 7 kicks (42.8%).

Carlson, who missed more kicks than any other football player in his 2023 rookie season with the Green Bay Packers, is 47 of 59 (79.7%).

A year ago, the Packers were rebuilding in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, so they thought it was the right time to part ways with Mason Crosby and try to find their future kicker.

The expectations for the Green Bay Packers are huge this season and the Packers cannot afford to make another mistake in this situation.

If the Packers decide that neither Joseph nor Carlson deserve a spot on the roster, they could arrange a trade. Or they could sign someone who will be released on August 27th.

A handful of other teams also have ongoing kicker competitions, and the Packers may decide that the loser of one of those battles is a better option than the two players they currently have in training camp.

Here’s a look at some other kicking competitions that Green Bay is no doubt watching closely.

Greg Zuerlein vs. Austin Seibert

The Jets have two players in camp who could earn a spot on the roster.

Zuerlein has been a model of consistency since entering the NFL in 2012. He has converted 83.1% of his field goals, 95.7% of his extra points and was selected to the All-Pro first team in 2017.

Zuerlein made an excellent 92.1% of his field goals last year and signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with the Jets in March. It would be a shock if he somehow left.

But Seibert has been reliable since entering the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick in 2019. Seibert kicked for four teams and converted 80.4% of his field goals and 90.3% of his extra points.

PITTSBURGH

Chris Boswell vs Matthew Wright

Boswell has been a model of consistency for the Steelers since 2015, making 87.2% of his field goals and 94.8% of his extra points. Last season, he made 93.5% of his field goals and 96.4% of his extra points.

Boswell signed a four-year, $20 million contract extension with the Steelers in August 2022, so it’s unlikely he’s going anywhere.

But Wright, who has played for four teams, including Pittsburgh, has a solid record of his own. Wright has made 40 of 47 field goals (85.1%) and 35 of 37 extra points (94.6%) over the past four seasons.

CLEVELAND

Dustin Hopkins vs Cade York

Hopkins has had a solid nine-year career, making 85.8% of his field goals and 94.2% of his extra points. Last year in Cleveland, Hopkins made 91.7% of his field goals and 92.3% of his extra points.

On July 15, Hopkins signed a three-year contract extension with the Browns, making him almost certain to be Cleveland’s kicker in 2024.

York is an interesting prospect though.

Cleveland selected York in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, and he made 24 of 32 field goals (75.0%) and 35 of 37 extra points (94.6%) this season. However, when York struggled last summer, the Browns waived him and traded him for Hopkins.

York was on the practice squad with both Tennessee and the New York Giants last year before re-signing with the Browns in March. While York has little chance of unseating Hopkins, he was drafted in the fourth round just two years ago and someone could give him a chance.

NEW ENGLAND

Chad Ryland vs Joey Slye

The Patriots selected Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, two rounds and 95 picks before Green Bay selected Carlson. Ryland made just 16 of 25 field goals (64.0%) last year, the lowest percentage in the league among qualified kickers.

On May 2, the Patriots signed Slye to a one-year contract. In five NFL seasons, Slye kicked for three different teams, making 82.3% of his field goals and 88.5% of his extra points.

Slye spent the last three years in Washington, where he made 56 of 66 field goals (84.8%) but only 65 of 73 extra points (89.0%).

If Ryland gets the job, Slye will have definitely proven himself NFL-worthy. If Slye wins the battle, a team might see Ryland’s potential and give him a chance.