In a tumultuous end to the 2024 NFL season, former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson found himself released by the New York Jets, marking another challenging chapter in his professional career.
Carlson, who had been with the Jets after a series of unsuccessful stints with multiple teams, struggled to maintain consistency on the field, ultimately leading to his dismissal.
The year began on a rocky note for Carlson. As a 2023 NFL Draft pick, he entered the offseason with hopes of securing the starting kicker position for the Packers. However, his performance during the playoffs was underwhelming, missing several crucial kicks that contributed to the Packers’ narrow 25-22 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.
This inconsistency made his starting role uncertain, prompting the Packers to sign former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph to provide competition.
Neither Carlson nor Joseph managed to impress during the offseason activities, training camp, or preseason games. Consequently, the Packers decided to release both kickers, opting instead for Brayden Narveson, who was later replaced by Brandon McManus. Carlson was the first to be cut, followed by Joseph shortly after the initial 53-man roster announcement.
Following their release from Green Bay, both kickers sought opportunities with other teams. Carlson attempted to join the Detroit Lions’ practice squad but was outperformed by Joseph, who was subsequently signed. Joseph’s journey continued as he was picked up by the New York Giants, where he maintained an impressive 81.3% field goal success rate over six games before being released once their primary kicker returned from injury.
Carlson, on the other hand, secured a temporary position with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster when the team’s kickers were injured, achieving a perfect field goal percentage in two games but falling short on extra points.
His performance earned him a brief stint with the New York Jets, where he made eight of ten field goals and nine of eleven extra points over five games. However, a critical miss in a game against the Los Angeles Rams led to his release as the Jets reinstated Greg Joseph to the active roster after their primary kicker, Greg Zuerlein, was placed back on injured reserve.
With the regular season concluding, Anders Carlson is currently a free agent, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on his next move in the highly competitive NFL kicking landscape.
His journey underscores the volatility and high stakes of professional sports, where even talented players must consistently perform to secure and maintain their positions.
