Former Packer battling for starting job after Jets cut one-time All-Pro

Anders Carlson. Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Packer Anders Carlson battling for starting job after Jets cut one-time All-Pro

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated May 16, 2025 7:11 PM ET

Going into the 2025 offseason, one of the Green Bay Packers' biggest priorities was finding a way to retain kicker Brandon McManus. Last season, after being signed mid-year, McManus was 20-of-21 on field-goal tries (95.2%, the second-best single season mark in franchise history) and a perfect 30-of-30 on extra-point attempts.

The Packers were able to retain the one-time Super Bowl champion as he signed a three-year, $15.3 million deal to remain in Green Bay.

The addition of McManus ended what was a grueling year-and-a-half of absolutely poor play on the part of Green Bay’s kickers.

Anders Carlson was not the kicker the Green Bay Packers hoped he would be

Green Bay Packers place kicker Anders Carlson (17) celebrates his field goal with Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) during the second half of their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Green Bay selected Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Carlson did not turn out to be even half the player that they had hoped he would be.

As a rookie, the Auburn product made 81.8% of his field goals and a woeful 87.2% of his extra points.

After training camp in 2024, Green Bay released Carlson. The Packers claimed Brayden Narveson off waivers from the Tennessee Titans, but he was not much better, making just 70.6% of his field-goal attempts through seven games last year.

Carlson, for his part, bounced around the NFL last season, appearing in regular-season games for the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets.

Now, despite his inconsistencies, he is in line to start 2025 as New York’s starting kicker.

Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets place kicker Anders Carlson (18) celebrates recovery of a fumbled ball on a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that the Jets had decided to release kicker Greg Zuerlein, who had been their kicker for the last three seasons.

The #Jets are releasing kicker Greg Zuerlein. After going 35/38 on field goals in 2023, Zuerlein struggled mightily last season, converting just 9/15 FGs. pic.twitter.com/529ONP45wg

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 16, 2025

A former All-Pro, Zuerlein made just 60% of his field goals last season while appearing in just eight games. Carlson, meanwhile, made 80.0% of his field goals in five games with New York (though he was just 9-of-11, 81.8%, on his extra points).

As their roster stands right now, Carlson is No. 1 kicker on the Jets depth chart. However, New York also signed undrafted free agent Caden Davis to compete for the starting job as well.

So gear up for a training-camp battle: Anders Carlson (8-for-10 FG/9-for-11 PAT in 2024) vs. rookie Caden Davis (Missouri).

Prepare for kicking stats to be tweeted. #Jets https://t.co/zrWW8rCEnb
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 16, 2025