GREEN BAY – Joining the Packers may not technically be a homecoming for Brayden Narveson, but it's sure felt that way so far.
Prior to signing with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in the spring, the Arizona-born Narveson had an interview with Green Bay assistant special teams coach Byron Storer during the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Afterwards, the 24-year-old kicker relayed that conversation to his fiancée, Shelby Murphy. A native of Prescott, Wis., the future Mrs. Narveson was ecstatic over the prospects of her soon-to-be husband starting his NFL career in her home state.
"We were talking about how funny it would be if I ended up playing for the Packers one day," Narveson said. "She was like, 'Oh, my God, I don't know what I would do.'"
Well, the couple found out last week when Green Bay claimed Narveson off waivers from the Titans. In four days, he'll become the first undrafted rookie to kick for the Packers in a regular-season game since Ryan Longwell in 1997.
Brayden and Shelby married in July. Their honeymoon to Mexico is actually the reason the big-legged kicker has a passport for Friday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Prior to that, Narveson said he'd never been out of the country.
Narveson had a strong training camp in Tennessee and thought he might still end up on the Titans' practice squad after he was cut last week. But the Packers called instead with a spot on their 53-man roster.
With it came a lot of jubilation.
"It was just a bunch of excitement," Narveson said. "When I called and told (my wife) I got claimed by the Packers, she was like, 'You've got to be kidding me.' She hung the phone up and called her parents immediately. So, she was probably more excited than I was but, obviously, very thankful for me, as well."
Shelby was obviously elated upon finding out her husband was joining the Packers – not only because of the natural Wisconsin connections but also Narveson's performance in the preseason.
After playing at four schools in six collegiate seasons, Narveson said the Titans were the only team to whom he'd spoken directly before the 2024 NFL Draft. Tennessee was committed to 39-year-old Nick Folk but was open to developing a younger kicker behind the 16-year veteran.
Handling most of the kicking in the preseason, the 6-foot, 215-pound kicker went 6-for-7 on field goals (with a make from 59 yards and his only miss from 58) with two made extra points.
The performance got the Packers' attention. Following an up-and-down competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph, Green Bay put in a claim for Narveson.
The sample size has been small over the past week but promising. Narveson has already kicked twice, starting with last Thursday's night practice inside a blustery Lambeau Field.
Narveson reports he went 5-for-5 with a make from 58 yards. He also drilled home first kicks from 48 and 56, both into the wind. Narveson said he kicked six more times during team periods on Sunday, going 5-of-6 with a miss from 51 but a make from 53.
"I've seen enough to be confident in him," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "I know Rich (Bisaccia), Byron and Kyle (Wilber), as well as our scouting department, really liked him coming out of college. He was a guy on a short list of people they'd like to work with. When he became available, obviously you saw what we did. We scooped him up."
Narveson brings big self-belief with him to Green Bay, which he attributes to coaches who have put their confidence in him all the way back to high school.
Experience has buoyed that, as well. He once made a 58-yard field goal at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. Last year, Narveson made the longest kick of his college career.
"When people start believing in you, like when I hit a 57-yarder against Duke in college, all those things translate," Narveson said. "All those things continue to make you better day in and day out. I'm very thankful that I've had coaches that have believed in me for long distances."
Narveson acknowledges the pressure the comes with kicking in the NFL. This Friday, his kicks will be broadcast to a worldwide audience. While some nerves may come with that, Narveson has earned the right to show how hard he's worked to be here.
His wife – and the whole town of Prescott – will be cheering him on.
"She's like, 'I'm going to be the coolest person in my hometown,'" said Narveson with a laugh. "I'm like, 'All right. I'm happy for you.'"
