The Green Bay Packers are largely regarded as NFC contenders coming into 2024. Following an up-and-down start to the 2023 season, the club went 7-3 in their final ten games. That featured a decisive victory over the Cowboys in the Wild Card round and a three-point loss to the 49ers in the divisional round.
The Packers want to retool in 2024 in order to return to playoff (and hopefully Super Bowl) contention. That may include contacting a UFL star.
YardBarker’s Andrew Kulha suggests that the Green Bay Packers should contact UFL kicker Jake Bates.
Kicker Jake Bates became a hero during the inaugural weekend of UFL football action.
With his Michigan Panthers trailing the St. Louis Battlehawks 16-15 with only seconds remaining in the game, Bates drilled a 64-yard field goal to give the Panthers the victory.
Not only was it a clutch kick, but the ball didn’t simply sneak by the uprights. Bates boomed it, putting himself on the radar of several kicker-hungry NFL teams.
And, honestly, there’s no reason the Green Bay Packers shouldn’t be among them. In fact, the Pack should just send a contract to Bates’ agency before this gets away from them.
The Packers hired veteran Greg Joseph earlier this offseason to provide competition for incoming second-year kicker Anders Carlson, but does either kicker inspire confidence in what appears to be a Super Bowl-caliber roster?
Joseph has made 100 of 121 NFL field goals in five seasons, but he is primarily a journeyman, having kicked for the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and, most recently, the Minnesota Vikings over the last three seasons. Yes, he found his spot in Minnesota, but great kickers don’t play for many teams at the age of 29.
The Packers will face competition at the kicker position. This Year
The Packers chose Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 draft because of his leg strength. Regardless, his accuracy is doubtful. Last season, he made just 27 of 33 field goals and missed 34 of 39 extra points.
His longest field goal was barely 53 yards, and he missed three of five attempts from 50 yards or beyond.
The Packers recently signed veteran Greg Joseph for competition, but it would be foolish not to consider one more kicker for some more challenge in camp.
