Former Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is not on a 53-man roster for the first time since 2007. The Packers drafted Crosby in the sixth round of the NFL Draft that year, and he went onto spend 16 seasons in Green Bay, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and never missing a game. He also holds the record for most games played and most consecutive games played in Packers’ history.
The Green Bay Packers Will Not Bring Mason Crosby Back
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Green Bay made the decision to move on from Crosby, who made 86.2% of his field goal attempts last season. Instead, they drafted Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While Carlson has had his struggles during training camp, the Packers’ front office and coaches have been adamant that they are going to ride it out with him.
While Crosby has accepted the rare down time he is getting with his family, he also wants to play in the NFL this season. If certain teams’ kickers struggle in Week One and beyond, he could end up signing with one of them.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Brett Maher signed with the Rams after the Cowboys cut him loose. His disastrous performance in the 2022 NFL Playoffs was enough for Dallas to move on from him, even after he made 90.6% of his field goal attempts last season.
Maher infamously missed five extra point attempts in the Cowboys’ two playoff games last season. If he carries those struggles over to the Rams in 2023, Crosby could get a phone call.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Like the Packers, the 49ers opted not to bring back their long-time veteran kicker (Robbie Gould) in favor of a rookie. In fact, the 49ers used a third round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Jake Moody.
Moody had some inconsistencies this preseason, making three of his five field goal attempts. The 49ers are expected to be contenders in the weak NFC, and cannot afford to be patient if his struggles carry over to the regular season.
3. Denver Broncos
Crosby, who played at Colorado in college, was linked to the Broncos in the past. However, Denver instead acquired kicker Will Lutz in a trade with the New Orleans Saints.
Lutz missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and made just 74.9% of his field goals last year. If Denver surprises and Lutz is costing them games, Crosby could end up getting a call after all.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chase McLaughlin was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, but did not stick around for long. In fact, he has never stuck around anywhere for long. In his four-year career, McLaughlin has played for six teams (not including a second stint with the Colts last year).
The simple fact of the matter is that there is a reason he has been signed and released so much. He isn’t that good. If Tampa Bay sees his inconsistencies continue., Crosby should be at the top of their list for a replacement.
5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys, too, are expected to make a run in the NFC this season. While they have good veteran presence on both offense and defense, they are going with All-USFL kicker Brandon Aubrey as their kicker. The USFL is the only professional football experience that he has had.
Prior to the USFL, Aubrey was a professional soccer player. Who knows how his game will translate to the NFL, but if it is ugly early, Crosby has a connection to Mike McCarthy and could end up in Dallas.
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