What are the Packers’ options at kicker this offseason?
Even if Mason Crosby never plays another snap in the NFL, he will be remembered as a Green Bay Packers legend.
He is the franchise’s all-time points scorer, a record we won’t see beaten for many years.
The Packers have enjoyed incredible continuity and consistency at kicker, all thanks to the steady production of Mason Crosby.
Here we are, almost two weeks removed from the start of the new league year, and Crosby remains a free agent. While the 38-year-old faces an uncertain future, what’s next for the Packers at kicker?
Packers could re-sign Mason Crosby
The Packers need a kicker. Crosby needs a team. Maybe the best option for everyone is a return to Green Bay.
Crosby can still play at a high level. The only issue last season was the power on his kickoffs, although general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t concerned. Gutekunst believes being a year removed from surgery will help.
Brian Gutekunst on Mason Crosby: "I think you'll see a stronger leg and a different power in his leg on kickoffs this coming year just because he won't be coming off that surgery."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) February 28, 2023
Crosby is scheduled to be a UFA. Has never missed a game in the regular season or playoffs.
Crosby converted 86.2 percent of his field goal attempts in 2022, including a 56-yarder in tough Lambeau Field conditions.
He is experienced and knows how to kick in Green Bay late in the season.
Re-signing Crosby would make sense.
Packers could sign a free-agent kicker
Another option for Green Bay is to sign another veteran kicker.
Robbie Gould has experience in cold conditions, having kicked for the Chicago Bears for 11 seasons. Ryan Succop has been a solid kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the past three seasons.
Other free-agent options include Brett Maher and Chase McLaughlin.
Packers could draft a kicker
With Green Bay starting over with a new quarterback, maybe the team decides to find its new kicker in the draft.
The Packers could wait until undrafted free agency, but an option on Day 3 of the draft could be Michigan’s Jake Moody, the winner of the Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year award in each of the past two seasons, and also the Lou Groza Award winner in 2021.