Packers could replace longtime kicker Mason Crosby in 2022
By Joseph Rowan
Longtime Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby may be out of Green Bay this upcoming offseason following a down year.
A 14-year veteran, Crosby had a below-average season making 25 field goals on 34 attempts, notably missing three field goals in the Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Although he looked rough this season, the longtime Packer has been a fan favorite, but that could be coming to an end due to upcoming salary cap issues and the acquisition of two new kickers on the Packers’ depth chart.
Following the end of the 2021 season, the Packers’ signed two kickers, Dominik Eberle and JJ Molson. While the veteran could continue to stay on the roster if he outplays them, Crosby has a cap hit of $4.74 million and a dead cap hit of $2.34 million, per Over The Cap.
Crosby could certainly be a cap casualty going into an offseason where the Packers are potentially looking to re-sign four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and star WR Davante Adams (as well as breakout talents Rasul Douglas and De’Vondre Campbell).
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Crosby has bounced back from below average seasons before, such as the 2012 season where he only made 21 field goals on 33 attempts. In 2013, the Packers stuck with the kicker, who was lights out only missing four field goals the entire season.
Although he struggled this season, it didn’t help that he had a new punter, placeholder, and long snapper.
The Packers’ special teams struggled as a whole the 2021 season and was the biggest reason why they lost in the NFC Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers. Following the loss to the 49ers, the Packers fired first-time Special Teams Coordinator Maurice Drayton. If the Packers can turn around their special team woes, they could certainly be Super Bowl contenders in the 2022 season.