The Las Vegas Raiders have been really strong on special teams for years, but this season has been a struggle. Special teams have contributed to a number of losses this season, which led to special teams coordinator Tom McMahon getting fired.
However, there could be more changes coming. Kicker Daniel Carlson has been an excellent player for the Raiders in the past. He was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2021 and First-Team All-Pro. He was widely considered one of the best kickers in the NFL, but he has been struggling this season.
In Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he missed an extra point and the Raiders ended up losing by one point. In Week 10 against the Denver Broncos, he had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but missed a 48-yard field goal attempt.
Carlson has only missed four kicks this season, but some of them have come at the worst times. The Raiders aren’t likely to give up on him yet, but they are bringing in competition. The team announced on Tuesday that they have signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad.
Joseph won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and John Spytek when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, but he wasn’t their main kicker that season.
Carlson Failing During Contract Year
Carlson likely could’ve secured a big payday this offseason had he played better. Last offseason, the Raiders extended punter AJ Cole, but it was curious that they didn’t extend Carlson. That was a wise decision in hindsight.
At this point, the former All-Pro will be lucky if he’s even brought back by the team at all. The Raiders have been fortunate to have some great kickers over the years, but Carlson appears to be on the decline. With more and more kickers being able to hit 60+ yard field goals, the Raiders might want somebody with a bigger leg.
Carlson does hold the record for most 50-yard field goals by a Raider in a single season, with 11 in 2022. Joseph has never been a better kicker than Carlson, but the incumbent is now on notice. If he misses any more big kicks, he might be cut before he has a chance to finish his contract.
Pete Carroll Talks Carlson’s Struggles
With owner Mark Davis known to be impatient with coaches, these losses could cost head coach Pete Carroll his job. He got brutally honest about Carlson following the Broncos game.
“The ball’s just got to go through the freaking hoop. We just got to make them. That’s all there is to it,” Carroll said after Thursday’s loss. “We’ve been so close that one kick in this game, one kick in that game has made a difference, and our season would be somewhat different if we could get him to answer, but, unfortunately, we’re putting him in long situations at the end of the game, and it’s as difficult as it can get. And we really trust in him and believe in him and are counting on him to come through. The ball will go a mile up here in this place in Denver.”
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