Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur admitted that inconsistency plagued the competitions at kicker and backup quarterback this summer and said decisions made around the league around cutdown day on Tuesday could impact what the team does at the two positions to start the 2024 season.
Saturday’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens — which ended in a 30-7 win at Lambeau Field — highlighted the on-going inconsistency and potential for concern at kicker and backup quarterback entering the regular season.
At kicker, Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph started by making their first six kicks — including two over 50 yards — but Carlson ended the day with a miss on a 32-yarder. Both kickers had impressive stretches but hovered around 80 percent during training camp.
LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst will have to determine if Carlson or Joseph is the answer for Week 1 or if a waiver wire addition will be required.
“We have a really good sample size, and then we’ll see what happens just around the league,” LaFleur said. “There was some good moments. Both of those guys made a 50-yarder, and then there was a poor moment where we missed a chip shot. A lot of good, but there was some we could be better at. We’ll just wait to see.”
Carlson curled in a 54-yarder around the right upright, while Joseph split the uprights from 55 yards out. By final tally on kicks in camp and the preseason, Carlson was the slightly better kicker. But he was hardly more consistent or reliable than his up-and-down rookie season, and his miss on Saturday was a brutal reminder of Carlson’s volatility, even on easier kicks.
At backup quarterback, Sean Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt both threw touchdown passes, but Clifford struggled early and Pratt struggled late.
Do the Packers have a backup quarterback who could adequately fill in if Jordan Love suffered a minor injury?
“We’ll see,” LaFleur said. “Again, similar to the kicking competition, there was some really good moments and there was some things that we absolutely have to do better. And we’ll evaluate everything that is out there for us.”
Together, Clifford and Pratt combined to complete 14 of 26 passes for 133 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Ravens. Clifford was only 3-of-10 passing at half time, while Pratt threw a bad interception in the second half. Neither was particularly impressive over a month of practices and three preseason games, opening the door to the Packers making an addition at quarterback following final cuts.
Most teams enter a season with bigger and more pressing worries than what the Packers currently face at backup quarterback and kicker. But quarterback is the most important position on the field and quarterbacks often get injured, while kicker is a point-scoring position that can determine games.
The deadline for cutting the roster to 53 players is Tuesday afternoon. Considering LaFleur’s comments, all options are on the table at kicker and backup quarterback, and it’s possible the answers will arrive via the waiver wire.
Other things of note from LaFleur:
— LaFleur said Pratt got the wind knocked out of him while trying to make a tackle following his interception. “He couldn’t breathe. He just lost his wind, he was fine.”
— LaFleur said players will be off Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and return Wednesday. Final cuts are Tuesday.
— On the status of A.J. Dillon (stinger) and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) for Week 1: “TBD.”
— On Kristian Welch: “Smart, tough, physical player.” LaFleur thought he baited the quarterback into throwing the interception in the second half.
— On Arron Mosby: “Extremely impressive to have two takeaways.” Mosby forced a fumble and had an interception. “Two outstanding plays by him.”
— On final 53-man roster: “There are going to be some very tough decisions.”
— LaFleur said Jason Vrable called plays in the first half and John Dunn called plays in the second half. The Packers also switched it up with playcallers on defense.
— On right guard: “Sean Rhyan has done an outstanding job.” Said the Packers have at least five more practices before playing the Eagles, so there’s time to make the decision. LaFleur didn’t rule out rotating Rhyan and Jordan Morgan. Also said Rhyan in-game stamina is better this year.
— No communication breakdown on Ravens touchdown. Two players jumped the underneath route, leaving the in-breaking route behind it wide open.
LaFleur’s post-game press conference:
LIVE: Head Coach Matt LaFleur meets with the media following #BALvsGB 🎙️ https://t.co/LhMADYrQ21
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 24, 2024