Green Bay Packers 2019 roster preview: Mason Crosby

Despite the Green Bay Packers adding competition for Mason Crosby at training camp, it would be a mistake to make a change at kicker.

Mason Crosby‘s 2018 season is remembered for one performance in particular, when he missed five kicks in the Green Bay Packers‘ loss to the Detroit Lions. That’s the tough part of the job for kickers — often they’re not talked about until they make a mistake.

But Crosby is still one of the best kickers in the game, and he should have no trouble getting back to his best in 2019.

2018 stats

Crosby converted 30 of 37 field goal attempts (81.1 percent) and 34 of 36 extra-point attempts (94.4 percent).

2018 review

Take away one poor performance against the Detroit Lions and a missed game-winner against the Minnesota Vikings, and it was overall just another solid season for Crosby. Of course, they all count, so his numbers fell below his high expectations.

Odds of making roster: 95 percent

The Packers clearly weren’t completely satisfied with Crosby’s performances last season as they’ve brought in kicker Sam Ficken this offseason. I don’t think this will make much difference, as Crosby has been an excellent, consistent performer for this team over the years, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt after one bad performance last year.

Had he not missed five kicks against Detroit, I doubt we’d even be talking about a kicking competition. And considering how Crosby bounced back after that game — he converted 19 of 21 field goals (90.5 percent) for the remainder of the season — it’s hard to imagine there will be much competition at training camp.

What to expect in 2019?

Expect Crosby to remain the Packers’ kicker and perform at a high level like he has for many years in Green Bay. Again, if he’d missed two kicks against the Lions instead of five, there wouldn’t even be any talk about Crosby’s position on the roster.

Crosby’s kicks at important times, from game-winners to game-tying kicks, including many in frozen conditions, is why he’s one of the best in the league.

Expect a bounce-back year from Crosby.