The Green Bay Packers’ Long-Term Problem, Which Must Be the Team’s Top Priority …
When everything was taken into account, the Green Bay Packers’ 2023 campaign was excellent. They exceeded predictions in Year 1 of the Post-Aaron Rodgers Era by not only finishing with a winning record of 9-8 but also qualifying for the playoffs. They even defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the postseason to win a W, but they were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round after hitting a roadblock. If only Anders Carlson had not missed a critical field goal attempt in that game, the Packers would have likely advanced past the divisional round.
On Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, punter Daniel Whelan (19) of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after place kicker Anders Carlson (17) makes a point after touchdown to give the Packers a lead against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers won the game, 18–17, after rallying from a 17–0 hole in the fourth quarter.
But the Green Bay Packers have moved on from all of that now. For the club, it’s all about looking forward now as they gear up for the upcoming season, hoping to build on that strong 2023 campaign. And ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid believe the Packers need to give strengthening the kicker position top priority if they want to maintain their success.
Resolve the kicking issue. They can’t let what transpired this season happen again, whether that means adding a seasoned veteran, bringing in some competition, or continuing with Anders Carlson, who had a difficult debut season. It was more than just Carlson’s botched 41-yard field goal in the playoff defeat against the 49ers during the fourth quarter. It was a persistent issue. Including playoffs, he missed 13 field goals and extra points this season, more than any other kicker and more than any other player in the NFL. Maybe this explains why some teams, like the Packers with Carlson in the sixth round, just won’t choose a kicker. Maybe they would have added another kicker later on if they hadn’t selected Carlson with a choice.
The Packers may think about enhancing their roster with a variety of enticing free-agent choices. On the list of impending free agent kickers in 2024 are players like Nick Folk, Greg Zuerlein, Cameron Dicker, and Ka’imi Fairbairn.
With postseason experience under his belt, the Packers can also hope that Carlson can improve and become less susceptible to pressure in 2024. However, it wouldn’t hurt for Green Bay to look into alternative kicker options.
