Packers Targeted K Brayden Narveson As UDFA?

The Packers’ multi-faceted kicker competition included a number of faces seeing time in the offseason, training camp and preseason. In the end, neither incumbent Anders Carlson nor veteran Greg Joseph earned the Week 1 gig. Instead, that job has gone to Brayden Narveson, a waiver claim following roster cuts.

Narveson joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent this spring. Tennessee already had veteran Nick Folk in place, and the 39-old will indeed handle kicking duties in 2024. As a result, the Titans attempted to have Narveson pass through waivers and land on the practice squad. The Packers’ decision to claim him changed that plan, though.

“I was fully anticipating re-signing with the Titans on the practice squad,” the 24-year confirmed (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). “Even from the forefront, when they were recruiting me, if you will, during the draft, that was the guiding idea that that was probably what was going to happen. But at the same time, I prepared, I got opportunities in the games, I executed in the games.”

Narveson’s performance in the preseason put him on the Packers’ radar as they attempted to sort out their kicking situation. General manager Brian Gutekunst noted in an interview with Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette that the team attempted to sign Narveson after the draft had concluded. The Packers still had Carlson (a 2023 sixth-round pick) in the fold at that time, and Lambeau Field is certainly not the most attractive setting for rookie kickers to attempt to launch their careers compared to other venues.

Notably, Demovsky reports the Packers did not, in fact, make an offer to Narveson as a UFDA. The Iowa State, Western Kentucky and NC State product’s only known offer came from the Titans, explaining his decision to sign with the team despite having to compete with Folk. Now, he will aim to earn a long-term stint in Green Bay in his first regular season action. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed his confidence in Narveson after only two practices with the Packers, during which he went 10-for-11 on field goal attempts.

Narveson’s college career saw him convert at an accuracy rate above 79% only once in a season, during the 2020 campaign. After Carlson had an up-and-down rookie year, Narveson will look to carry over the momentum he built for himself during the summer. Gutekunst added (via Dougherty) Green Bay showed interest in free agent kickers likes Matthew Wright and Chad Ryland – cut by the Steelers and Patriots, respectively, last week – but the team will rely on a less experienced option to start the season.