Were the Packers right to go with Brayden Narveson over Anders Carlson?

After a rocky 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers decided to move on from former Auburn Tiger Anders Carlson. Carlson had an inconsistent rookie season, missing critical field goals, and by the end of training camp in 2024, the Packers chose to part ways with him.

Now, five games into the 2024 season, we compare whether the Packers made the right call by replacing Carlson with rookie kicker Brayden Narveson. With Narveson struggling to find his rhythm, the debate is more relevant than ever.

Anders Carlson struggled with the Packers

After a successful college career at Auburn, Carlson entered the NFL in 2023 with high expectations. Known for his strong leg and accuracy, Carlson had been a reliable kicker for the Tigers. During his college career, he made 80% of his field goals, including clutch kicks in high-pressure games. However, the transition to the NFL proved to be challenging.

In his rookie season with the Packers, Carlson showed potential early on. However, inconsistency quickly became a concern. Over the last 12 games of the 2023 season, he missed kicks in 10 of them, including a costly 41-yard miss in the fourth quarter of the Packers' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

This led to questions about his reliability in critical moments. As the 2024 season approached, Packers’ GM Brian Gutekunst decided to part ways with Carlson, opting instead to bring in a new face.

Brayden Narveson’s rocky start

The Packers claimed Narveson off waivers in late August 2024, hoping he could provide the stability that Carlson lacked. Narveson, a rookie kicker, impressed with his leg strength and potential during preseason workouts.

However, five games into the season, Narveson has struggled, testing the patience of the Packers’ management and coaching staff.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Narveson has missed four of his 13 field goal attempts this season. His misses have come at critical moments, including two missed field goals in the Packers' narrow 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. These misses have raised concerns about whether the Packers made the right decision to let go of Carlson.

Narveson has acknowledged his struggles, admitting after the Vikings game that he knows he's testing Gutekunst’s patience.

"I'm extremely grateful to still have the opportunity to prove myself after a game like that," Narveson said. "But I know a lot of people are probably writing me off." Despite his struggles, Narveson remains determined to improve, stating that he plans to "prepare harder and prove the people that believed in [him] right."

Who is the better option: Anders Carlson or Brayden Narveson?

When evaluating if the Packers made the right call, it's essential to compare the two kickers based on their performances and potential for improvement.

When we look at the numbers from the first five games, Narveson and Carlson's performances are more alike than expected.

• Field Goal Attempts: Narveson attempted 13 field goals, while Carlson had 12 attempts.

• Field Goals Made: Narveson converted 9 of his 13 attempts, and Carlson made 8 of his 12.

• Field Goal Percentage: Narveson is slightly ahead, converting 69.23% of his kicks, compared to Carlson's 66.67%.

• Extra Point Attempts: Narveson has had 15 extra point attempts, making 14, while Carlson attempted 14 and made 13.

• Extra Point Percentage: Narveson edges out Carlson here as well, converting 93.33% of extra points versus Carlson’s 92.86%.

Could the Packers have avoided this situation?

The decision to move on from Carlson might have been premature, especially considering his track record at Auburn. His struggles in Green Bay were real, but with another offseason to work on his mechanics, Carlson could have rebounded. Instead, the Packers opted for Narveson, who, while promising, has been shaky in his NFL debut.

Carlson remains an unsigned free agent, meaning that other NFL teams are not exactly eager to bring him on board. His inconsistency in Green Bay, coupled with the challenges kickers face transitioning from college to the NFL, may have impacted his reputation.

What’s Next for Brayden Narveson?

For Narveson, the next few games could determine his future with the Packers. He knows that his performance needs to improve, and quickly. His self-awareness of his technique issues—specifically, his wide plant foot causing missed kicks to the right—gives some hope that he can correct the problem. Packers fans, however, are growing impatient, and the team's decision to bring in other kickers for workouts indicates that the front office is actively considering alternatives.

If Narveson continues to struggle, the Packers could once again find themselves in the market for a kicker, potentially revisiting the possibility of bringing Carlson back or signing another veteran.

Did the Packers make the right decision?

As of Week 5, it’s hard to say definitively that the Packers made the right decision to move on from Carlson in favor of Narveson. Both kickers have struggled with consistency, and while Carlson’s misses ultimately cost him his job, Narveson is quickly facing similar scrutiny.

Carlson had the experience and a proven track record at Auburn, but his inability to perform under pressure in Green Bay led to his release. Narveson, on the other hand, is still adjusting to the demands of the NFL, but time is running out for him to prove that he can be the long-term solution.

For now, the Packers seem committed to Narveson, but if his struggles continue, they may soon be searching for yet another kicker, and the decision to release Carlson might look more questionable in hindsight.