The Green Bay Packers do not have many major questions surrounding their roster going into the 2024 NFL season. Jordan Love proved that he is the team’s next franchise quarterback after Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. The team’s young core of wide receivers and tight ends all performed well enough to give the team assurance that they will be even better this upcoming year.That being said, there are still several interesting position battles to watch during offseason team activities (OTA’s) and training camp. Specifically, it will be interesting to see which five offensive linemen form the starting lineup come Week One. Jon Runyan Jr., the starting right guard, departed in free agency, as did swing tackle Yosh Nijman. David Bakhtiari was released to save over $20 million in the salary cap.
Josh Myers, the starting center since 2021, is entering the final year of his contract and is really the only offensive lineman who cannot play more than one position. If Green Bay feels like any one of their other linemen could do better, he could be out of a job, per offensive line coach Luke Butkus.
Offensive line, though is not the only place where there is a serious position battle happening. It is happening on special teams as well.
The Green Bay Packers Are Not Handing the Kicker Job to Anders Carlson Again
Last offseason, the decision to move on from kicker Mason Crosby and to select Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft was nearly as unpopular as the one to trade Rodgers in favor of Love. From early in OTA’s there were two things that stood out about Carlson: he had a cannon for a leg and he was going to be a work in progress.
As Packers fans know, Carlson was incredibly inconsistent as a rookie. While his 81.8% field goal percentage is slightly better than Crosby’s career percentage (81.2%), Carlson struggled on extra points and from distances that should not have been difficult for him.
Last season, Carlson made just 87.2% of his extra point attempts. He was also just 4/8 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards. Frustratingly, Carlson also missed at least one kick in 10 of his last 12 games, including in the NFL Playoffs.
Greg Joseph Reveals His Mindset in Trying to Take the Green Bay Packers’ Starting Kicker Job
After Green Bay drafted Carlson, they did not bring in any competition for him during their offseason programs. In other words, they just handed him the job. This, obviously, was a mistake, and one they are not repeating this year.
While Carlson still can earn his starting job, there are two other kickers competing for it as well: former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph and undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny.
In an interview with Mike Spofford of packers.com, Joseph revealed what his mindset is this offseason as he attempts to take a spot for himself on the final 53-man roster:
“Some guys might thrive off watching other people kick. I thrive in being in my own world because that’s where I really learn it’s me vs. me and focus on what I do and to get better on what I do each and every day, because that’s the only thing I can control.
“I just decide to stay in my own little world because that’s what I feel do best in a competition is just worrying about me. I don’t know how they’re doing. I only know how Greg Joseph is doing, and I’m going to keep it that way.”
Joseph was highly complimentary of the Packers’ players and coaches, and said he is enjoying his time with his former division rivals.
Last season was all about giving the young players a chance to play. This year, the best player is going to play regardless of whether or not they were a draft pick or not.
Joseph is just worrying about himself, but Carlson should keep an eye over his shoulder in case he is in danger of being overtaken.
