Brayden Narveson, the rookie kicker for the Green Bay Packers, has been under intense scrutiny lately due to his inconsistent performance on the field. Originally signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024, Narveson was later claimed by the Packers via waivers.
Narveson's journey with the Packers began on a promising note. In his debut game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he connected on five of his six kicks, including field goals of 31 and 23 yards and two extra points. However, a crucial miss of a 43-yard field goal that bounced off the upright marked a turning point, highlighting the challenges he would face in the NFL.
Recent Struggles
In the Packers' recent 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Narveson missed field goals of 37 and 49 yards, contributing to the team's defeat. This performance has brought his season statistics to 9-of-13, a disappointing 69.2% success rate. These misses have been particularly critical, with Narveson himself acknowledging the impact: 'Those are critical misses and its unacceptable. (It) hurts,' he said.
Despite these struggles, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur has expressed confidence in Narveson. 'Ive got a lot of confidence in Brayden,' LaFleur said. 'I do. I know its tough. We all want the results. Hes a young guy, and a lot of times with young kickers, you go through this.' However, the decision to retain or replace Narveson ultimately lies with general manager Brian Gutekunst, who has been criticized for not finding a reliable kicker since the departure of veteran Mason Crosby after the 2022 season.
Potential Alternatives
Given Narveson's performance, the Packers are exploring other options. Several kickers currently on the market could potentially fill the role. Matthew Wright, who has played 23 games for four different teams and boasts an 85.1% field goal success rate, is one such candidate. Another is Riley Patterson, who has kicked for three teams with an 88.1% field goal success rate. Randy Bullock, a veteran with 12 years of experience, and Anders Carlson, a former Packers kicker, are also being considered.
Anders Carlson, in particular, is an interesting option. Despite having a rocky season in 2023, Carlson showed improvement during the summer and was more accurate than Narveson during his time with the Packers. His experience and recent form make him a viable alternative.
Future Outlook
The pressure on Narveson to perform is mounting, and the Packers' patience is being tested. As the season progresses, the team will need to decide whether to continue with Narveson or opt for one of the alternative kickers. The decision will be crucial, as the reliability of the kicker can significantly impact the team's performance and chances of success. For now, Narveson remains committed to improving, stating, 'I just gotta look myself in the mirror, go back to the drawing board and be better'.
In the world of professional football, consistency is key, and kickers play a pivotal role in determining game outcomes. The placekicker position is one of the most pressure-filled roles on the field, and Narveson's journey serves as a reminder of the challenges and expectations that come with it.
