Packers draft pick adds layer to Vikings' infamous kicker issues
The Green Bay Packers decided to take a kicker in this year's NFL Draft and for most fans, it meant very little. But for the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers' choice added another layer to one of the infamous draft stories in franchise history.
The Packers selected Auburn kicker Anders Carlson with the 207th overall pick in the draft, which is notable because he is the brother of former Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson. "Former Vikings kicker" is used lightly as Carlson didn't spend much time in Minnesota after Rick Spielman traded up to take him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.
Daniel Carlson's struggles with the Vikings began when he missed a pair of PATs during a preseason game. Later in the game, former Vikings head coach and noted kicker antagonist Mike Zimmer went for two points after a touchdown to send a message to his young kicker.
"Just let him know that if he's going to miss [field goals], I'm going to go for two," Zimmer told reporters. "...I'm going to chalk this one up to a bad night, but hopefully gets better."
Unfortunately for the Vikings, it didn't get better. Carlson's nightmare continued a few weeks later in Green Bay, where he missed three kicks including two potential game-winning field goals in overtime during a Week 2 tie with the Packers.
Zimmer was furious and cut Carlson the following day. When asked about his decision, Zimmer snapped "Did you see the game?" and Carlson was sent to the unemployment line.
Daniel Carlson's story had a happy ending, but it wasn't for Vikings fans. After signing with the Oakland Raiders, Carlson became one of the best kickers in the NFL, ranking fifth in field goal percentage (89.4%) and 16th in extra point percentage (94.7%) since the start of the 2019 season (min. 50 attempts).
Meanwhile, the Vikings have rotated through Dan Bailey and Greg Joseph, who have combined to make 82.7% of their field goal attempts and 88.4% of their extra points during that timeframe.
Anders Carlson isn't as accurate as his brother, making 71.8% of his field goal attempts compared to Daniel's 80.7% during his time at Auburn. He also tore his ACL in a collision while trying to recover an onside kick in 2021. But this means nothing to Vikings fans, who may believe that he'll become a cold-blooded assassin ready to sink daggers into their heart for the next decade.
Why? Because it's the Vikings. The franchise that watched Gary Anderson enjoy a perfect season in 1998 before he missed wide left in the NFC Championship Game. The same franchise that watched Blair Walsh shank a 27-yard field goal into the Mississippi River in the 2015 playoff game against the Seahawks.
Why wouldn't Anders Carlson become the NFL's next great kicker in the same stadium where his brother's meltdown punched his ticket out of Minnesota? It makes too much sense.
For that to happen, Anders Carlson will have to win the job against Parker White but if he does, it may add a little uneasiness in the minds of Vikings fans the next time the Packers line up for a field goal.
