So far, the Green Bay Packers’ decision to make rookie Brayden Narveson the team’s placekicker has not gone as planned.
Narveson is 9-of-13 on field goal attempts through four games, and leads the National Football League with four missed kicks, including two in the Packers’ 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.
None of his misses have been from beyond 50 yards, with three coming between 40-49 yards, and one from inside the 40-yard line, raising the level of concern.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur gave his embattled kicker a vote of confidence following the game. “I got a lot of confidence in Brayden,” LaFleur said. “I told you guys from Day One, the day he got here, and just have seen his ability. So, it’s just part of it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t his day, but I got a lot of confidence and wouldn’t blink if we have to put him in another situation.”
That being said, the Packers did work out a pair of more experienced kickers, former New England Patriot Chad Ryland and former Los Angeles Rams kicker Lucac Havrisik.
The Patriots drafted Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 17 games last season, making 16 of his 25 attempts (7-of-14 on kicks over 40 yards). Havrisik played nine games for the Rams in 2023, converting 15-of-20 attempts (4-of-9 on kicks over 40 yards).
The Packers also have Alex Hale, a rookie out of Oklahoma State, on their practice roster.
No matter how much confidence LaFleur may have in Narveson, it appears the Packers are keeping their options open.
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