Former Packers 6th-Round Pick Anders Carlson Cut After Minicamp, Struggles to Find New Team
New York, NY – June 24, 2025
The New York Jets have released former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick, following a lackluster minicamp performance, per ESPN. The move leaves Carlson, once tasked with replacing Packers legend Mason Crosby, searching for a new NFL home as his career faces uncertainty.
Carlson’s lone season with Green Bay in 2023 was marked by inconsistency. Despite a powerful leg, he missed five field goals and four extra points, prompting his release, according to Pro Football Focus. Brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Jets followed, but Carlson’s struggles persisted. In 2024, he missed three extra points and two field goals within 40-49 yards for the Jets, though he showcased his range with a 58-yard field goal, per NFL.com.
At Jets’ minicamp, Carlson’s inconsistency overshadowed his potential. The team opted for undrafted rookie Caden Davis, signaling a lack of confidence in Carlson’s reliability, per Sporting News. “He’s got the leg, but the misses on routine kicks are costly,” an NBC Sports analyst noted.
Carlson’s challenges mirror the unforgiving nature of NFL kicking, where consistency trumps raw talent. His 2023-2024 stats—eight missed extra points and six missed field goals within 40-49 yards—highlight his struggles, per PFF. The Packers, after cycling through Carlson, Greg Joseph, and Brayden Narveson, settled on Brandon McManus, who hit 95.2% of his field goals in 2024 despite a key miss in a playoff loss to the Eagles, per CBS Sports.
At 27, Carlson’s youth offers hope, and his brother, Daniel Carlson, overcame early inconsistency with the Vikings to become a dependable kicker for the Raiders. Yet, with only two NFL seasons, time is ticking for Anders to prove his worth. “He needs a team willing to bet on his upside,” said Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.
With $12.3 million in cap space, per Spotrac, teams like the Washington Commanders or Atlanta Falcons, seeking kicking depth, could offer Carlson a training camp invite. If no NFL opportunities arise, the Canadian Football League, as seen with Narveson, looms as a fallback.
As training camps approach in late July, Carlson faces a critical juncture. Can he refine his accuracy to secure a roster spot, or will his NFL dreams fade? His journey underscores the razor-thin margins of professional kicking. Stay tuned to ESPN for updates.
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