For the second game in a row, Green Bay Packers kicker Brayden Narveson fell short of perfection, leaving fans and analysts alike to question his reliability. In the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Narveson missed one of his four field-goal attempts. Unfortunately, this pattern continued in Week 2, as he again missed one of his four tries during the Packers’ 16-10 home victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Despite these inconsistencies, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has voiced his unwavering support for Narveson, the undrafted rookie who has been thrust into the spotlight following the team’s decision to part ways with their previous kickers. LaFleur has shown confidence in Narveson’s potential and mental fortitude, emphasizing that every kicker faces a rollercoaster of performance highs and lows. “I’d say from my perspective, I’m pretty patient,” LaFleur stated. “I like his mentality, I like his talent. There’s going to be some ups and downs. Hopefully, there’s more ups than downs. I do think he’s done a pretty nice job. He needs to make that field goal; he knows it, we all know it, but I’m confident if he’s in that situation again, he’ll hit it.
Narveson’s misses this season have both come from the 40-to-49-yard range—a 43-yard attempt in the Week 1 game in Brazil against the Eagles and a 45-yard try in the Week 2 game at Lambeau Field against the Colts. These distances are generally considered within a kicker’s routine range, making each miss particularly noteworthy.
The Packers’ decision to bring Narveson on board was part of a significant shake-up at the kicker position. The team had previously released Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph, both of whom had been part of the Packers’ plans for the season. Narveson, who was waived by the Tennessee Titans just before the start of the season, was seen as a potential answer to the team’s kicker woes. His performance in the preseason with the Titans had shown promise, but he was ultimately cut, leading the Packers to give him a chance.
Through the first two games of the season, Narveson has successfully made six out of eight field-goal attempts and has been perfect on extra-point tries, going 3-of-3. Despite the missed kicks, his overall performance has had its bright spots, reflecting his potential to be a reliable asset for the team. The upcoming Week 3 game against the Titans, Narveson’s former team, presents an opportunity for him to redeem himself and demonstrate his value to the Packers.
As the Packers prepare for their matchup in Nashville, all eyes will be on Narveson. The game could serve as a pivotal moment in his young career, offering a chance to turn the tide and solidify his role as the team’s kicker. The pressure is on, but with LaFleur’s continued support and Narveson’s determination, there is hope that he can navigate through these early-season challenges and emerge as a dependable performer for Green Bay.