The Green Bay Packers let go of key veterans in the offseason, including the franchise's all-time leading scorer and kicker Mason Crosby, replacing him with rookie Anders Carlson. The Los Angeles Rams, experiencing inconsistency at kicker, signed Crosby to their practice squad and elevated him to play against the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial game.

Why It Matters

The decision to replace Mason Crosby with a rookie and the Rams' urgency to address their kicking issues highlight the strategic and high-stakes nature of roster decisions in the NFL.

By the Numbers
  • Mason Crosby is the Packers' all-time leader in points scored, most games played, and most consecutive games played.
  • Justin Tucker, the Ravens kicker, has made 21 of 26 field goal attempts this season, marking the lowest success rate of his career at 80.8%.
State of Play
  • The Rams signed Mason Crosby after experiencing inconsistency with their current kickers, Brett Maher and Lucas Havrisik, both making less than 74% of their field goal attempts.
  • Green Bay Packers faced ongoing changes and selections in response to the departure of key veterans during the offseason, reflecting a strategic shift in the team's composition.
What's Next

The performance of Mason Crosby for the Rams and rookie Anders Carlson for the Packers will likely impact the trajectory of their respective teams and future roster decisions.

Bottom Line

The NFL's constant roster adjustments, player signings, and performance evaluations underscore the critical role of each player in shaping a team's competitive strategy and success.