It is no secret that Anders Carlson’s rookie season in Green Bay wasn’t perfect. He missed a total of 11 kicks, including a key 43-yard field goal that would’ve put the Packers up by seven instead of four against the 49ers late in the divisional round in January. Of course, Green Bay would go on to lose the game. Regardless, Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia still has confidence in the young kicker.

The Packers are ready to win the Super Bowl right now. Can they afford to be patient with a young, struggling kicker? If they decide to not want to roll the dice on Carlson, they could always turn to a familiar face in free agent Mason Crosby. It is time to analyze why Green Bay should or shouldn’t bring back the franchise legend.

The Case For Crosby

Crosby was picked up later in 2023 by both the Rams and Giants and would finish 11 of 14 in total field goal attempts. Most notably, he drilled a 52-yard field goal on the road in Philadelphia on Christmas. Despite approaching the age of 40, he still has a little leg strength left. In his last season in Green Bay in 2022, he finished 25 of 29 on field goals and 37 of 39 on extra points. Very solid numbers for an aging kicker.

The Packers are in win-now mode, and Crosby has seen everything there is to see throughout his 17 NFL seasons. Why not bring him back on the practice squad at the very least in case Carlson gets a little shaky down the stretch?

The Case Against Crosby

Despite his accuracy kicking field goals, Crosby doesn’t have the leg that he used to have. Yes, he can still make a 52-yard field goal on the road in a hostile environment. But, can he make a 55-yarder? It’s unlikely. Also, in his final year in Green Bay, the former Colorado Buffalo had just a 20.3% touchback mark (Pro Football Reference). That was his worst mark in 13 seasons.

If he has any strength in that right leg, he doesn’t have much left. It is also hard to forsee a scenario where Green Bay would keep two kickers on the active roster. One for long distance and one for short distance. Also, would Green Bay cut their young kicker just to keep Crosby for one season before he retires. Signing Crosby would put Green Bay in a weird corner.