Even if the Green Bay Packers performed better than expected in 2023, almost all supporters believe that the club underperformed
when against the San Francisco 49ers. Before the 49ers seized a 24-21 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Packers had the lead for
almost the whole game.
In the fourth quarter, kicker Anders Carlson missed a field goal from 41 yards out that would have put the Packers ahead by seven
points. Those three points were the difference, even though the Packers had plenty of chances to put the game out of reach before the
failed field goal. The Packers revealed today that they have added some competition for Carlson.
After making 26 of 31 field goals and 73 of 74 point-after attempts during his last season with the Bulldogs, Podlesny was awarded the
SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. Two of the missed field goals were during the playoff victory against Ohio State. Approximately
63% of his kickoffs ended in touchbacks. Podlesny was the first-team all-SEC kicker—not Carlson.
He hit 82.4 percent of his field goals in three seasons, although just 56.5 percent of them came from forty yards or more. He kicked a
53-yard field goal to defeat Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl to end his rookie campaign.
Regarding the winning kick, Podlesny remarked, “I was trying to treat it like any other kick while trotting out there.” I will tell it to you
directly, honestly.
“Actually, I was thinking about it the other day. I’ve always discussed this with my sports psychologist: picture yourself in situations
you’ve been in previously,, and keep in mind that experience because positive experiences may lead to positive ones. When I hit it, I
I knew it was a clean shot, so I was thinking, “It better go in,” and when I looked up and saw it split the posts, I was ecstatic.
Podlesny spent the offseason and the early part of training camp with the Minnesota Vikings after being passed over for the draft.
Although he attempted a high-pressure kick to conclude the offseason training, he did not attempt any kicks during the preseason.
Carlson was chosen by Green Bay in the sixth round of the NFL Draft in 2023. Even though he made his first 17 kicks, he was unable to
break out of a rut. He missed a field goal in the divisional round and an extra point in the wild-card victory against Dallas after missing
11 kicks in the regular season.
When the 2024 season rolls around, there’s little doubt that the kicker position will be open. Fans had bigger expectations than what
kicker Mason Crosby provided this season, even if many thought it was time to move on.
Podlesny may be the first of several applicants to test out for the starting kicker position with the Packers until they feel comfortable
enough.
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