Packers: Re-signing Mason Crosby should be a priority

One of the Green Bay Packers’ top priorities should be to re-sign Mason Crosby.

If Mason Crosby becomes a free agent, it won’t be for long. Finding a consistent kicker isn’t an easy task in the National Football League, and the Green Bay Packers have been fortunate to have Crosby for many years.

His contract will expire when the new league year begins in March, and among the top priorities for general manager Brian Gutekunst should be ensuring Crosby returns in 2020.

Gutekunst has made it clear he wants Crosby back next season.

Crosby could become one of the highest-paid kickers in the NFL, but it would be well deserved.

It’s been a tough year for Crosby away from football, yet he remained a true professional on the field and a leader for the Packers, putting together one of the finest seasons of his career. Crosby converted an impressive 91.7 percent of his field goal attempts. He only missed two attempts all season, one of which was over 50 yards.

He also stepped up to win the Packers games, kicking walk-off field goals in both meetings with the Detroit Lions. His final kicks of both games gave Green Bay the lead for the first time.

You only have to look to the division-rival Chicago Bears to see how challenging it can be to find consistency at kicker. They’d love to have Crosby on their roster.

Crosby signed a four-year contract worth $16.1 million back in 2016. In the four seasons since then, he’s converted 84.5 percent of his field goals and 95 percent of his extra-point attempts. He’s been consistent each season.

Re-signing Bryan Bulaga should also be near the top of Gutekunst’s to-do list. My guess is that the Packers will again be active participants in free agency, also.

But one thing they can’t afford to do is let Crosby walk. He’s far too good and would be almost impossible to replace. Gutekunst needs to get a deal done this offseason.