If Brian Gutekunst learned anything from punter JK Scott, it wasn’t applied to kicker Anders Carlson. On Tuesday, the Packers waived Carlson, who was drafted in the sixth round last year. Carlson’s departure mirrors that of Scott, who was drafted by Gutekunst in 2018 but was cut after three seasons. Scott has since thrived with the Los Angeles Chargers, contributing to their league-low punt-return yards.
Gutekunst acknowledged his impatience with specialists, referencing Scott and longtime Packers kicker Mason Crosby. He admitted that he could learn from his predecessor, Ted Thompson, who showed more patience with players. Crosby, despite a rocky start, became a reliable kicker for Green Bay, while Scott’s release only came after several seasons of development.
Carlson’s rookie season was marked by both highs and lows. While he made a historic field goal in every regular season game, he also led the league in missed extra points and total missed kicks in 2023. His missed 41-yard field goal in a critical playoff game against the 49ers contributed to the Packers’ loss, which may have sealed his fate.
In the offseason, the Packers brought in competition by signing Greg Joseph and undrafted rookie Alex Hale. Although Joseph seemed to win the starting job, Green Bay ultimately chose Brayden Narveson, an undrafted rookie, to handle kicking duties. Narveson had a strong preseason with the Tennessee Titans, which led to his signing after he was waived.
Gutekunst believes Carlson, like his brother Daniel Carlson, who rebounded after being cut by the Vikings, will find success in the NFL. Despite Carlson’s potential, Gutekunst felt it was necessary to make a change for the team’s immediate success. He emphasized the need for improvement at the kicker position, even if it meant moving on from a player with promise.