Like most rookies in the NFL, Anders Carlson is experiencing some growing pains. The former Auburn kicker has been shaky over the last six weeks, converting only 11 of 14 field goals and 13 of 16 extra points. Two of Carlson’s misses were from 50 yards or more, but three misses on extra points are genuinely concerning.
Some fans online who are already out on Carlson. The rookie does not need another year, and they want the Packers to replace him.
I’m here to tell you to give him another season.
Carlson has been inconsistent but has the leg strength to convert from 50-plus yards out and has delivered in the clutch. Packers fans got the full Carlson experience this week. The rookie missed an extra point early in the game, but he was perfect on two field goals, including a career-long from 53 and the game-winner with 19 seconds left.
Despite his efforts, Carlson is still facing scrutiny from many fans. Just look up his name on Twitter and prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions and opinions. However, that wasn’t always the case. The narrative around him has changed now that he is struggling.
The rookie started off strong. Carlson didn’t miss his first field goal until Week 7 in Denver. He missed his first extra point against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. But since missing those kicks, Carlson has become increasingly more inconsistent. The Carolina Panthers game was a microcosm of this season.
Ultimately, Carlson has missed four extra points and five field goals, all of which came in or after Week 7. The strange thing about Carlson’s missed extra points is that he’s perfect from within 40 yards when kicking field goals. While it’s not the most encouraging sign, Carlson deserves patience.
If it weren’t for Joe Barry’s defensive gaffes, Carlson would have provided a clutch game-winner against the New York Giants. Carlson also provided key points in the comeback victory against the New Orleans Saints earlier in the year. Those are positive things about Carlson. So far this year, there has not been a game in which the blame falls on Carlson for missing a kick in a big moment. He has thrived when it matters most.
Rookie kickers can be hard to understand. Carlson has been far from perfect, but neither was Mason Crosby. For the first six years of Crosby’s career, he logged a kicking percentage above Carlson’s current average of 82.8% just once. Crosby’s average field goal percentage was 77%. It was not until Year 7 that Crosby put up a field goal percentage near 90. Crosby is Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer. Kickers are strange. Eventually, Carlson will reward the Packers for their patience.
Kickers have weird years all the time. Look at the second-best kicker in the league this year. Greg Zuerlein currently has a 96.8 FG%. Zuerlein has played for three different teams, including the Los Angeles Rams for seven years, the Dallas Cowboys for two, and these past two with the New York Jets.
There have only been two seasons besides this one in which Zuerlein has a FG percentage better than 90, and Zuerlein is only an 83.3% career field goal kicker. Zuerlein hasn’t always been among the league’s best kickers. Few kickers are as consistent as Justin Tucker.
Even if Carlson misses a big-time kick this season, he should still be part of Green Bay’s plans. The rookie showed it in the first half of the season before becoming more inconsistent. That does not mean he deserves to get cut.
This was always going to be a growing year for Green Bay. It does no good for a young team to prioritize short-term success at the cost of a potential long-term solution at kicker. The Packers have seen enough from their rookie kicker to give him a look into next year. There’s more than enough reason for Green Bay to bet on Carlson and his big leg going into next year rather than try to bring in a different player.
Instead of bashing him, let Carlson build upon the success of his first game-winner and see if he can curb his extra-point woes. The rookie has shown enough to deserve Packers fans’ patience.
All stats and data via NFL and ESPN unless otherwise noted.
