GREEN BAY – The Packers have a new kicker.
Undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson, claimed off waivers from Tennessee, has stepped into that role for Green Bay following the release of Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph.
Narveson, 24, signed with the Titans after the 2024 NFL Draft after playing 57 collegiate games at NC State, Western Kentucky and Iowa State.
Here are five things to know about Narveson:
- He made the second-longest field goal of the preseason.
Narveson handled nearly all the kicking for the Titans in the preseason and made the most of the opportunity. He converted 6-of-7 field goals and both of his extra points. Narveson's only miss came from 58 yards.
He generated some national buzz two weeks ago when he drilled a 59-yard field goal during Tennessee's second preseason game against Seattle. It was one of three field goals Narveson made in the Titans' 16-15 victory.
"That whole situation was cool," said quarterback Malik Willis, who played with Narveson in Tennessee prior to being traded to Green Bay on Tuesday. "Coach Colt (Anderson), the special teams coordinator, he vouched for him and said, 'Send him out there. Let's kick one.' And he ended up making one of the longest kicks in Tennessee history.
"I'm glad for him. He deserves it."
His 59-yard kick was the second-longest made field goal of the preseason, second only to Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey's 66-yarder in Las Vegas.
When asked about his range after the game, Narveson smiled while saying simply: "My range is longer than 59. We'll leave it at that. A little surprise for you guys."
- Narveson's 59-yarder wasn't even the most important kick he made against the Seahawks.
A kicking duel broke out during the final eight minutes of the game against Seattle, as Josh Myers countered Narveson's 59-yarder with a 50-yard make of his own to put the Seahawks back ahead 15-13 with 1 minutes, 55 seconds left in regulation.
Willis led a quick nine-play, 42-yard drive, and Narveson made a 46-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to seal the win. That was the kick he savored most in the immediate aftermath.
"They were both instrumental in the win, but (it's) the game-winner to me," Narveson said. "At the end of the day, I want the team to win. I want the team to be successful and 59 feels good, don't get me wrong, but the one at the end feels a lot better."
Narveson also said it wasn't certain whether he'd even play against the Seahawks after being sick all morning. Despite Narveson's success, the Titans stuck with 39-year-old veteran Nick Folk, who attempted just two field goals in the preseason.
- The Packers kept tabs on Narveson all summer.
While the kicking competition played out in Green Bay, General Manager Brian Gutekunst and his scouts were keeping a close eye on what was happening in Tennessee.
When the Titans exposed Narveson to waivers on Tuesday, the Packers quickly pounced. He was the only kicker claimed leaguewide in the aftermath of final cuts.
"Brayden was a kid that we liked coming out and then he had an excellent preseason there in Tennessee," Gutekunst said. "As it unfolded and he was let go, we thought it was an opportunity to get a really good young kicker and give him a shot at it.
"We're really excited to get Brayden in here and see what he can do. He's certainly got a lot of talent and we're excited about that."
- Narveson kicked at three schools over a six-year college career.
After spending his first two years at Iowa State, Narveson initially transferred to San Diego but then switched to Western Kentucky after the Toreros' season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Narveson made an immediate impact for the Hilltoppers, converting 13-of-14 field goals (92.9%) and going 27-for-27 on extra points. He went 51-of-64 (79.7%) on field-goal tries during his three years at Western Kentucky, twice earning second-team All-Conference USA honors.
Narveson transferred to NC State as a graduate student this past year, going 18-of-23 on field goals (78.3%). For his college career, Narveson went 71-of-91 on field goals (78.0%) and didn't miss an extra point (196-for-196).
- He owns the longest made field in NC State history (which is still a yard shorter than his career-long in high school).
Narveson etched his name in the Wolfpacks' record book when he cleared a school-record 57-yard field goal against Duke last October.
Prior to the NFL preseason, it was his longest made field goal in a football game since making a 58-yarder during his senior year at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.
