No position in sports faces the harsh and brutal scrutiny of an NFL kicker. Brayden Narveson experienced this during his brief stint with the Green Bay Packers. It has forced his comeback mission on a detour through another league.
The Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League have signed Narveson ahead of their upcoming 2025 season.
While his brief run in the NFL didn't go as he had hoped, a switch to the CFL gives him a fresh opportunity to prove himself this summer. If all goes well, it won't be surprising if Narveson gets another shot during training camp or the preseason.
There's no doubting his ability to make kicks. Narveson made it look effortless with the Tennessee Titans during the preseason, converting all but one of his attempts, including a long from 59 yards.
But his preseason confidence soon fell victim to the regular-season pressures. In Green Bay, the rookie managed only 12 of 18 field goals, a frustrating 70.6 percent conversion rate. The Packers had no choice but to move on, signing veteran Brandon McManus to replace him.
Former Packers kicker Brayden Narveson gets an opportunity to bounce back in the CFL
Narveson returned to the Titans but missed his only field-goal attempt from 53 yards. Tennessee moved on.
Fortunately, he gets an opportunity with the Elks. Narveson clearly has a strong leg and can make kicks from any distance, which is why the Packers brought him in to replace the inconsistent Greg Joseph and Anders Carlson.
Many young kickers struggle for consistency in the NFL, and one miss can quickly spiral into several.
Confidence is everything, and Narveson has a chance to regain momentum with the Elks, and who knows, maybe it could lead him back into the NFL this fall.
We wish him well. It didn't work out in Green Bay, but Narveson can turn his Plan B into a positive.