GREEN BAY (WLUK) — In less than 48 hours, the Packers’ quarterback and kicker lineups have undergone a complete overhaul.
The Packers traded a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for quarterback Malik Willis, who will now serve as Jordan Love’s backup.
Quarterbacks Sean Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt were both released, with Clifford rejoining the Packers’ practice squad on Thursday.
There is also a completely new kicking room in Green Bay.
“I would say this is new territory that I’ve been in,” head coach Matt LaFleur said when talking about the kicking changes.
Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph were both released after fighting throughout training camp and the preseason to get the starting kicker position in Green Bay.
Alex Hall, who was brought into the soccer competition at the beginning of August, was included in the training team.
Hale is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, which means he is not part of the Packers’ 16-man practice squad.
After Carlson and Joseph fought all summer for the Packers’ starting kicker spot, it will now be neither of them.
“I think it was the culmination of the whole training camp and everything,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of firing Carlson. “For me and my group, as time went on, it was just that we wanted to try to get better there, and whether that was Anders or someone from outside, it didn’t matter. We needed to get better. We felt like we needed to get better, and that’s kind of why we made that decision.”
Instead, the Packers’ starting kicker in their Week 1 game against the Eagles will be Brayden Narveson, who was acquired from the Tennessee Titans via waivers.
“We looked around a lot. We watched the league. Brayden was a kid we liked when he was coming up, and then he had a great preseason there in Tennessee,” Gutekunst said. “When everything unfolded and he got released, we thought this was an opportunity to get a really good young kicker and give him a chance.”
Narveson, an undrafted rookie who played for Iowa State, Western Kentucky and NC State, made 6 of 7 field goals in the preseason, with his only miss coming from 58 yards.
The Packers were unlikely to have seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster, so Grant Dubose became the odd man out while Bo Melton and Malik Heath made the cut.
“I just think some of the things that Malik and Bo did made more sense for us at that point,” Gutekunst said. “At the same time, we could have kept Grant. Again, he’s earned it. He deserves to be somewhere and I’m glad he’s getting the chance in Miami.”
This is the first time in his three-year career that Melton has made the initial 53-man roster, while Heath made the roster for the second consecutive year after going undrafted in 2023.
“Grant, he’s been giving me a hard time,” Heath joked with reporters. “I’m ready to show that I’m made to play in this league. I’m ready to show the special teams everything. You know, everything.”
“Malik has a unique ability to make plays when it matters. You know, when the ball is in the air, it’s his,” Gutekunst said. “He has a great ability to attack the football and make difficult catches. He was a playmaker from college to when he got here. I think he’s just a very reliable player when it matters.”
Defensive end Arron Mosby also made the Packers’ initial 53-man roster, proving that a great preseason performance can make all the difference. Mosby capped off the preseason with a forced fumble and an interception against the Ravens.
“I got the call, but I thought something bad happened, but it was obviously a great call … a blessing,” Mosby said. “My preseason play was great, but the last game put the stamp on it and made it look like I was here to stay. But like I said, every day is an audition.”
By Wednesday afternoon, the Packers had signed 13 players to their practice squad, with four spots still open.
