The Packers know change is needed.
Change is needed, and the Green Bay Packers know it.
Despite Matt LaFleur’s infuriating comments about the team’s belief in kicker Brayden Narveson, the team’s actions speak louder than words. On Tuesday, the Packers reportedly worked out not one, but two kickers.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates and Rob Demovsky, the Packers brought in Chad Ryland and Lucas Havrisik for workouts.
Ryland made only 64 percent of field goals as a rookie for the New England Patriots, while Havrisik converted 75 percent for the Los Angeles Rams last season.
Could either player solve the Packers’ kicking woes? Will the team even sign either player? That remains to be seen, but Green Bay’s ramped-up interest in the kicking market indicates that change is on the way.
Packers desperately need to fix the kicking problem after disastrous start
Patience is important at any position—the Packers learned that by giving Mason Crosby time when he lost confidence. However, that only works to a point. Had it not been for a holding penalty that made no impact on the kick, Narveson would have at least one miss in all four Packers games this year.
That’s a quarter of the season, and he hasn’t shown any signs of improvement. The rookie is actually trending in the wrong direction.
To make it worse, kicking around the NFL has never been better. As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire noted, NFL kickers have converted 75 percent of kicks of 50-plus yards this season, which is better than Narveson’s overall percentage, and all of his kicks have been under 50 yards. He is also the only kicker in the league to miss a field goal within 40 yards.
It’s not just a small issue, either. It’s costing the Packers games.
Green Bay lost by two points in Week 4. Narveson missed two field goals that cost the team six points. It’s not as simple as saying the Packers would’ve won if he made the kicks. It’s the butterfly effect, as the game could’ve gone in a different direction if he didn’t miss on the Packers’ opening drive. Still, the point stands.
The Packers lost by five in Week 1. Narveson missed a kick. Had he made it, they could’ve won on a field goal on the final drive and wouldn’t have needed to urgently push for a touchdown.
Green Bay is falling behind while teams around the league are enjoying a consistent kicking game. Maybe the Packers won’t sign Ryland or Havrisik, but they clearly understand the need for an upgrade.