Packers sign the wrong Lions kicker to compete with Anders Carlson

The twists and turns of the Green Bay Packers' kicking competition continued this week.

Just as Anders Carlson may have felt his grip on the job strengthening after the Packers released Jack Podlesny, it has all changed. Green Bay has once again made it a three-way battle at training camp by claiming former Detroit Lions kicker James Turner off waivers.

Turner joins a competition featuring second-year Carlson and veteran Greg Joseph.

Here's the problem: While Turner has shown potential this offseason and has an opportunity to win the job, the Packers seemingly didn't get the Lions kicker they wanted.

Packers sign James Turner after missing out on UFL star Jake Bates

The Packers had reported interest in UFL star Jake Bates, who stole the show for the Michigan Panthers by hitting multiple kicks from over 60 yards. The Panthers play their home games at Ford Field, so Bates understandably chose to sign with the Lions.

To make room for Bates on their roster, the Lions waived Turner. And that's how we ended up here.

The Packers didn't get the kicker they reportedly had interest in signing, so they settled for the player who the Lions cut to sign the kicker Green Bay actually wanted.

But there's good news: Turner is talented. According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, Turner impressed during the Lions' offseason workout program.

"The former Michigan Wolverine flashed his leg strength by making a handful of kicks from 55-60 yards with extra room to spare," writes Reisman.

And he enters the league with solid college numbers. The undrafted free agent only missed one extra-point try at Michigan last season while converting 85.7 percent of field goals. In 2022 while playing for Louisville, he hit 90.9 of his field goal attempts.

The Packers are ensuring Carlson has to win the job this summer. Maintaining a three-way competition makes sense.

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