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Green Bay Packers: Former Kicker Cut by 49ers Despite Leading Competition for Starting Job

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 12:35 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers of 2025 have a luxury that their previous teams in 2023 and 2024 did not have: a proven and reliable kicker signed to their roster. After moving on from Mason Crosby following the 2022 NFL season, the Packers turned to sixth round pick Anders Carlson to take over the position.

He responded by leading the NFL in missed kicks as a rookie and forcing Green Bay to bring in veteran Greg Joseph to compete with him in training camp last offseason. Unfortunately for everyone involved, neither kicker could out perform the other. Both were released and replaced by Brayden Narveson, who also led the NFL in missed kicks before the Packers settled in Brandon McManus.

Now, McManus is inked to a three-year contract and the three kickers who came before him are looking for work. Joseph, for his part, appeared to be on his way to winning a job elsewhere in the NFL, but was inexplicably cut on Monday.

Former Green Bay Packers Kicker Greg Joseph Cut by San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers: Former Kicker Cut by 49ers Despite Leading Competition for Starting Job 1 Aug 24, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Greg Joseph (2) attempts to kick a field goal during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This offseason, Joseph once again found himself in an NFL training camp, competing against a 2023 NFL Draft pick who has been disappointing ever since he came into the league.

San Francisco 49ers inexplicably used a third round pick that year on Jake Moody, who had a solid rookie season, making 84% of his kicks. But last year, he made just 70.6%, prompting the 49ers to bring in Joseph to compete with him for the starting job this year.

And Joseph was winning the competition, having made 22/24 field goals compared to 21/24 by Moody.

But San Francisco released Joseph on Monday, citing not having enough roster spots for two kickers:

The #49ers have released K Greg Joseph

It appears Moody has won his first camp battle pic.twitter.com/o2k4znLFPE

— (@TheSFNiners) August 4, 2025

Last season, Joseph ended up kicking for three teams (the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and New York Jets), making 80% of his field goals (16/20).

Now a free agent, it is likely that Joseph will find work elsewhere given his reputation. He is far from the best, but teams know what they will get from him. That being said, he may have to wait to be an injury replacement as he was for multiple teams last year.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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