NFL

Packers have recruited a 29-year-old kicker from the Vikings to add a competitive dynamic alongside Anders Carlson.

The Green Bay Packers have officially signed seasoned kicker Greg Joseph, who spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. This acquisition, announced by the Packers on Thursday, adds depth and competition to the team’s kicking game, particularly with Anders Carlson, who faced challenges with consistency in his rookie season as a kicker.

FILE - Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis. Joseph has signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the past three seasons with the Vikings. The Packers announced the Joseph signing on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

 

Last season, Joseph, aged 29, demonstrated proficiency by converting 24 out of 30 field-goal attempts, with a success rate of 3 out of 6 from distances between 40 to 49 yards and 4 out of 7 from beyond 50 yards. Additionally, he made 36 out of 38 extra-point attempts.

Throughout his career spanning 67 regular-season games, Joseph has achieved an 82.6% success rate in field goals (100 out of 121) and an impressive 90.1% accuracy in extra points (146 out of 162). Notably, he holds a career-long field goal of 61 yards.

Joseph’s NFL journey includes stints with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 (playing 14 games) and the Tennessee Titans in 2019 (appearing in two games) before becoming the primary kicker for the Vikings starting in 2021.

FILE - Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis. Joseph has signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the past three seasons with the Vikings. The Packers announced the Joseph signing on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

 

Now, Joseph will vie for the kicking duties with Carlson, a fifth-round draft pick from Auburn in 2023. Carlson posted a field-goal success rate of 81.8% (27 out of 33) during the regular season but faced challenges from mid-range and long-distance attempts, converting only 4 out of 8 attempts from 40 to 49 yards and 3 out of 5 from beyond 50 yards. He also made 34 out of 39 extra-point attempts.

In the Packers’ playoff journey, Carlson encountered setbacks, missing an extra-point attempt during their 48-32 wild-card playoff triumph against Dallas and a 41-yard field goal in their subsequent 24-21 NFC divisional playoff defeat at San Francisco.

Additionally, following the conclusion of their season, the Packers have brought in kicker Jack Podlesny. Podlesny, who played college football at Georgia, has yet to make an appearance in an NFL game.

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