Packers: Sam Ficken needs strong training camp to make 53-man roster

Sam Ficken will provide competition for Mason Crosby at training camp this summer.

It’s not often the Green Bay Packers bring in competition for longtime kicker Mason Crosby, but that’s the case this season after they signed Sam Ficken.

Ficken was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015, and has since been with the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. His only regular season experience came with the Rams over the past two seasons.

Now Ficken enters training camp with the Packers. But can the former LA Rams kicker win the job in Green Bay?

2018 stats

Ficken only played in two games last season, replacing an injured Greg Zuerlein. Ficken only converted one of his three field goal attempts, but was perfect on his 10 extra point attempts.

He also played two games for the Rams in 2017, making two of his three field goal tries, and four of five extra points.

Odds of making roster: 10 percent

A couple of things need to happen for Ficken to make the roster. First, he’ll need to be nearly perfect. The second is Mason Crosby will need to struggle. Even if Ficken plays well, it’ll take a lot for him to replace Crosby on the roster.

What to expect in 2019?

Ficken will need to play well when given an opportunity both in practice and in preseason games. But it’ll be tough to earn the job over Crosby due to Crosby’s experience and consistency throughout his career.

Crosby also has experience making long kicks in the frozen temperatures in Green Bay and Chicago late in the season, something that can’t be replicated at training camp.

It’s a long shot that any kicker will come in and win the job from Crosby. But at worst, a good summer for Ficken could earn him the job for another team during the season when there’s an opportunity.