Brian Gutekunst and The Green Bay Packers’ Kicker Conundrum

Gutekunst, who has been candid about his struggles with patience when it comes to kickers and punters, recently admitted this during the acquisition of kicker Brayden Narveson off waivers in August 2024.

Brayden Narveson’s Rocky Start with the Packers

Narveson, a rookie kicker, is no stranger to Gutekunst’s dwindling patience. After missing two field goal attempts in a recent 31-29 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, Narveson speculated whether Gutekunst had exhausted his patience for him. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Narveson remains grateful for the opportunity and is determined to validate the faith of those who believe in him.

Narveson’s Performance Record

Narveson’s performance has been somewhat troubled, having missed four out of 13 field goal attempts this season, the highest number of misses this season. His misses have included a wide-right 43-yard attempt against the Eagles, another wide-right 45-yard attempt against the Colts, and two misses against the Vikings. While he is officially 9-of-13, a penalty on the Titans disregarded another miss in Week 3 at Tennessee.

The Search for a Reliable Kicker

In response to Narveson’s inconsistent performance, Gutekunst brought kickers Chad Rylan and Lucas Havrisik for workouts but did not sign either. Rylan was subsequently signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad. The Packers also have Alex Hale, part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, on their practice squad. However, it seems the Packers are not yet ready to fully entrust him with the role.

The Packers’ Kicker History

The Packers find themselves in this situation following their decision to cut ties with last year’s kicker, rookie Anders Carlson. Despite a promising start, Carlson’s performance waned with missed kicks in 10 of the final 12 games. Gutekunst replaced him with veteran Greg Joseph before releasing him in favor of Narveson.

Room for Improvement for Narveson

Narveson’s issues seem to stem from his plant foot positioning, causing him to aim too far right. He is aware of the problem and is committed to refining his process and preparation. Despite the rocky start, Coach Matt LaFleur continues to support Narveson, expressing the need for performance and the importance of learning from previous mistakes.

In conclusion, the Green Bay Packers’ struggle with finding a reliable kicker continues. With Narveson’s future hanging in balance, the team’s management is left to make critical decisions to ensure their success in the upcoming season.