Packers make a surprise cut and part ways with former draft pick

The kicking competition has been proved costly for Anders Carlson. The former sixth-round pick was waived by the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, ahead of the final roster cuts. The news was first reported by NFL Network’s insider Tom Pelissero.

It’s still unclear what the Packers will do at kicker. They still have on the roster veteran Greg Joseph and rookie Alex Hale , a member of the International Pathway Program . The team can decide to keep one of them or both (considering Hale will have a practice squad exemption if he clears waivers), or even try to find an outside option.

Costly decision

The Green Bay Packers decided to move on from Mason Crosby last year, which still feels like the correct decision. But the process to replace him failed. General manager Brian Gutekunst used a sixth-round pick to draft Anders Carlson betting that he would develop under special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia — who had already developed Anders' brother, Daniel, with the Las Vegas Raiders.

However, the development didn’t come. As a rookie, Anders Carlson converted 27 of 33 field goals (81.8%), but the big problem was the extra points. He missed a league-high five XPs, converting only 34 of 39 (87.2%).

Carlson also missed a huge field goal in the playoffs, a 41-yard kick when the Packers were leading by four against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. The 49ers took advantage of the mistake, scoring a touchdown in the next drive to win the game.

New kicker

The Packers have made several moves this year trying to find a new kicker, but nothing has worked. Jack Podlesny was signed and cut, James Turner was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Lions and cut. Greg Joseph was signed and didn’t have a strong training camp either — his numbers in practice and preseason games were even worse than Carlson’s.

Against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason finale on Saturday, Carlson converted a 55-yard field goal, an indication that he was winning the competition. But he missed a 32-yard field goal to close the game, sealing his fate in Green Bay.

First cuts

The Green Bay Packers have made the first series of moves to reduce the roster from 90 to 53 . Beyond Anders Carlson, the team also waived wide receiver Samori Toure and offensive tackle Caleb Jones.

Related: Packers roster cuts tracker: Green Bay builds its initial 2024 53-man roster