The Green Bay Packers conducted a kicker competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph during the offseason. Ultimately, they chose the "neither" option, bringing in rookie Brayden Narveson.
Carlson, who struggled last year as a rookie, and Joseph failed to convince the team brass they were suitable for the gig. Carlson was waived during the 53-man cut process. Joseph was jettisoned the next day after the Packers snagged Narveson off waivers.
After last year's rocky road from Carlson, it's somewhat surprising that the Packers trust an undrafted rookie. Coach Matt LaFleur said he believes the first-year player will nail his kicks.
"I mean, yeah, I've seen enough to be confident in him," LaFleur said Sunday of Narveson. "So, if that's what you're asking: Do I have confidence in him? Absolutely, I do. I know Rich (Bisaccia), Byron (Storer) and Kyle (Wilber), as well as our scouting department really liked him coming out of college. He was a guy that was on a short list of people that they would like to work with. And when he became available, obviously, you saw what we did. We scooped him up."
LaFleur consistently backed Carlson last season, sticking with the rookie through the struggles. But in the offseason, the Packers wanted to push the young kicker, bringing in Joseph and a cycle of other legs.
At this point, we don't know how Narveson will react in-game, particularly in those December Green Bay tilts. However, the NC State product showed a big leg in the preseason in Tennessee, nailing 6 of 7 field goal attempts, including a 59-yarder and a game-winner.
Narveson said he expected to land back on the Titans' practice squad but is thrilled to get a chance in Green Bay.
"I prepared, I got opportunities in the games, I executed in the games," he said. "That gave me the chance to come here, and I'm ecstatic. I'm excited to be here and I'm going to continue to get better, because I don't want to stop here and I don't feel like I've arrived."
The rookie will get to show off his big leg from Brazil, as the Packers kick off the 2024 campaign against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night in São Paulo.