Packers' Matt LaFleur issues clear warning to Brayden Narveson after latest miss
It sure sounds like Matt LaFleur is losing patience with rookie kicker Brayden Narveson. He tried to say all the right things, but the Green Bay Packers need to consider making a change.
No kicker in the NFL has missed more field goals than Narveson's five this season. His 70.6 conversion percentage is the second-worst in the league, behind only Cade York, who only attempted two field goals before getting cut. Among active kickers, Narveson's record is by far the worst.
The worst part? All of his misses have come within 50 yards. The Packers haven't even attempted a kick longer than that this season, highlighting their lack of confidence in the rookie. In the win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, Narveson converted from 31 and 41 yards but missed right from 44.
On Monday, LaFleur said he doesn't believe the team will make a change this week, but there was a noticeable shift in his tone, having previously shown support for the rookie.
LaFleur wouldn't rule out the possibility of practice squad kicker Alex Hale getting an opportunity, and he followed up with uncertain comments about Narveson's future.
Matt LaFleur asked if PS kicker Alex Hale could be an option this week: "Potentially." Asked him at what point Brayden Narveson's continued struggles forces his hand.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 14, 2024
"We'll see," LaFleur said. "We'll take it day by day."
It's fair to say the rookie is officially on the hot seat, if he wasn't already.
Who could the Packers replace Brayden Narveson with at kicker?
The problem is that there isn't an abundance of quality kickers available.
LaFleur said Hale, who is on the practice squad via the NFL International Pathway Program, could "potentially" be an option if the Packers needed him. He showed some promise in the preseason but has never kicked in a meaningful game. It would be a massive gamble to give him a shot.
Another name to watch is Chad Ryland, who just kicked against the Packers for the Cardinals.
Green Bay worked him out before he signed with Arizona two weeks ago. Ryland has made five of six field goals in two games for the Cardinals (his only miss was blocked), and he could become available once veteran Matt Prater returns from injury. Ryland has provided cover.
However, he only converted 64 percent of his field goals for the New England Patriots last season, so signing Ryland is hardly guaranteed to solve Green Bay's kicking woes.
The Packers could turn to an experienced free agent like Randy Bullock. While he is unlikely to offer much consistency beyond 50 yards (he has converted just 51.7 percent in his career), he is far more reliable in the 40-49 range, where Narveson has struggled.
Another option is Riley Patterson, who has converted 53 of 59 field goals (88.1 percent) in his career but made just two of five attempts in the preseason this year.
In short, the Packers don't have many great options, but considering they have literally the worst kicker in the league through six weeks, they may have no choice.
LaFleur's change in tone sends a clear message to Narveson.
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