ORLANDO – The Packers have added to their kicking competition with the signing of fifth-year veteran Greg Joseph.
Joseph, 29, has made 100-of-121 field goals (82.6%) in 67 NFL games. Among his seven NFL stops, Joseph has kicked in the regular season for Cleveland, Tennessee and most recently Minnesota the past three seasons. He's the first kicker the Packers have signed as an unrestricted free agent.
Here are five things to know about the Packers' new addition:
- Joseph had a history-making run in Minnesota.
Joseph settled the Vikings' kicking carousel after signing with Minnesota in February 2021. He won the job over Riley Patterson in training camp and made 33-of-38 field goals (86.8%) during his first season with the Vikings.
The following year, Joseph drilled a game-winning 40-yard field goal in a 39-36 overtime triumph over Indianapolis. It marked the biggest comeback in NFL history, as the Vikings trailed the Colts 33-0 at halftime. Seven days later, on Christmas Eve, Joseph set a Minnesota franchise record when he hit a 61-yard game-winning field goal in a 27-24 win over the New York Giants, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the process.
Joseph won the award twice that season, with the first coming in Week 4 for converting five field-goal attempts, including a 47-yard game-winner, in a 28–25 victory over New Orleans in London.
- He once hit a game-winner against the Packers, too.
Joseph made a 29-yard field goal to propel the Vikings to a 34-31 win at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 21, 2021. It was his second game-winner of the year following a 54-yard field goal against Detroit in October.
He also went 3-for-3 on field goals against Green Bay on Sept. 11, 2022, including a 56-yard field goal made. At the time, it was both Joseph's and Vikings' longest made field goal.
- Joseph traveled a long path into the pros.
After going undrafted in 2018, Joseph went to training camp with the Miami Dolphins before joining Cleveland. He held down the Browns' kicking job, making 17-of-20 field goals and handling kickoffs.
Joseph was released at the end of camp the following summer before briefly joining the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. Tennessee signed Joseph in December 2019 to replace an injured Ryan Succop. He didn't attempt a field goal for his five games with the Titans, making 15 consecutive extra points before successfully attempting a 30-yard field goal in the AFC Championship Game.
Joseph remained with the Titans until he was cut at the end of training camp in 2020, signing days later to Tampa Bay's practice squad. He remained in that capacity while the Buccaneers won three consecutive road games en route to winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium.
- Joseph was born in South Africa.
He lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, until moving with his family to the United States when he was seven. "That's where my whole family is from," Joseph told Vikings.com in September 2022. "I haven't been back too often, but I still have some family and friends there." When Joseph made Cleveland's roster in 2018, he became just the fourth native of South Africa to play in the NFL.
- He starred at Florida Atlantic after going to high school in Boca Raton, Fla.
Joseph also was a standout soccer player at American Heritage High in Delray Beach, Fla., earning All-State honors. He played one year of high-school football before choosing to walk on at nearby FAU in 2013.
Joseph played in 50 games for the Owls from 2014-17 after redshirting in 2013. He made 57-of-82 career FGs and 165-of-170 extra points, earning All-Conference USA honorable mention in 2016 and 2017. He finished as FAU's school record holder in points (336), FGs and PATs.
