Going into the 2025 offseason, one of the Green Bay Packers biggest priorities was finding a way to retain kicker Brandon McManus. Last season, after being signed mid-year, McManus was 20/21 on field goal tries (95.2%, the second-best single season mark in franchise history) and a perfect 30/30 on extra point attempts.
Fortunately, the Packers were able to retain the one-time Super Bowl champion as he signed a three-year $15.3 million deal to remain in Green Bay.
As Packers fans are well aware, the addition of McManus ended what was a grueling year-and-a-half of absolutely poor play on the part of Green Bay’s kickers.
Anders Carlson Was Not the Kicker the Green Bay Packers Hoped He Would Be
Green Bay Packers, Elgton Jenkins, Anders Carlson
Green Bay Packers place kicker Anders Carlson (17) celebrates his field goal with Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) during the second half of their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Following the 2022 season, the Packers decided to part ways with many of their long-time veterans. Of course, the most notable of these was four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, but it also included the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Mason Crosby.
To replace the beloved Crosby, Green Bay drafted Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Carlson did not turn out to be even half the player that they had hoped he would be.
As a rookie, the Auburn product made 81.8% of his field goals and a woeful 87.2% of his extra points while leading the NFL in missed kicks.
After training camp in 2024, Green Bay released Carlson after he failed to clean up his mistakes. They claimed Brayden Narveson off of waivers from the Tennessee Titans, but was not much better, making just 70.6% of his field goal attempts through seven games last year.
Carlson, for his part, bounced around the NFL last season, appearing in regular season games for the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets.
Now, despite his inconsistencies, he is in line to start 2025 as New York’s starting kicker.
Former Green Bay Packers Kicker Anders Carlson Could Be the New York Jets Starter
New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Anders Carlson
Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets place kicker Anders Carlson (18) celebrates recovery of a fumbled ball on a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Earlier on Friday, it was reported that the Jets had decided to release kicker Greg Zuerlein, who had been their kicker for the last three seaons.
The #Jets are releasing kicker Greg Zuerlein. After going 35/38 on field goals in 2023, Zuerlein struggled mightily last season, converting just 9/15 FGs. pic.twitter.com/529ONP45wg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 16, 2025
A former All-Pro, Zeurlein made just 60% of his field goals last season while appearing in just eight games. Carlson, meanwhile, made 80.0% of his field goals in five games with New York (though he was just 9/11, 81.8%, on his extra points).
As their roster stands right now, Carlson is number one kicker on the Jets depth chart. However, New York also signed undrafted free agent Caden Davis to compete for the starting job as well.
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