The New York Jets have made a move to bolster their kicking game, announcing today that former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson has signed with the team’s practice squad. Carlson, who was waived by the Packers earlier this season, is expected to provide depth at the position as the Jets continue their search for stability in their special teams unit.
Carlson, a standout kicker at Auburn University, was drafted by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The younger brother of former NFL kicker Daniel Carlson, who currently kicks for the Las Vegas Raiders, Anders was expected to bring both a strong leg and a family pedigree to Green Bay’s special teams. However, after a somewhat inconsistent preseason and early regular-season performances, Carlson lost his job to veteran kicker Mason Crosby, who was brought in to provide a steadier presence.
Despite being waived by the Packers, Carlson’s raw talent and potential didn’t go unnoticed. The Jets, who have had ongoing issues at the kicker position this season, quickly moved to sign Carlson to their practice squad. The Jets have seen a revolving door at kicker since the start of the 2023 season, with veteran Greg Zuerlein currently holding the starting role but dealing with occasional struggles in his accuracy and consistency.
Carlson’s signing could signal the Jets’ confidence in his future development, as the team looks to create more competition at the kicker position. Carlson’s college career was marked by a powerful and accurate leg, hitting over 80% of his field goal attempts during his time at Auburn. His experience in high-pressure situations and his familiarity with kicking in tough conditions, like those at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, could be beneficial for a Jets team hoping to make a push for the playoffs in the competitive AFC East.
For Carlson, this is an important opportunity to reset and develop further in a less pressured environment. The Jets’ practice squad offers him the chance to refine his technique while learning from Zuerlein and head coach Robert Saleh’s coaching staff, without the immediate pressure of an active roster spot. Carlson’s next step will likely depend on his ability to improve his consistency in practice and potentially get a call-up to the active roster should the team’s kicking woes continue.
The Jets are hoping that Carlson can follow in his brother’s footsteps, with Daniel Carlson emerging as one of the NFL’s top kickers in recent years. Whether Anders can reach that level remains to be seen, but this signing could be the first step in his NFL career’s evolution.
