Paul Bretl | 9/1/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — As the Packers search for a dependable kicker continues, Bradyen Narveson has made a good first impression with his new team.
“He’s done a nice job,” said Matt LaFleur after Sunday’s practice. “He kicked again today, so he’s kicked twice now. I just like his approach, his mentality. I can’t wait to see what happens in the game.”
During Narveson’s first practice as a member of the Packers, and running on “no sleep,” as he put it, Narveson would make all five of his attempts that day, which included a 58-yarder inside Lambeau Field with the team practicing under the lights on Friday night in preparation of their Week 1 matchup with Philadelphia.
Then during Narveson’s second practice as a member of the Packers, he admitted that he did miss one of his six attempts–a 51-yarder to be specific. However, he made the other five, one of which was from 53-yards.
But beyond the obvious, which is that Narveson made 10 of his 11 kicks so far in practice, it’s the environment in which he made those attempts, navigating the swirling winds of Lambeau Field having never kicker there before and doing so on several 45-plus yard attempts.
“A lot of the first kicks that we had were into the wind – 48 into the wind, 56 into the wind,” said Narveson. “Tough kicks to make that I expect to make fully but, at the same time, coming into a new spot, not getting any real reps with the holder and snapper pre and going into a scrimmage-like setting in Lambeau Field, I think it’s just going to prepare me down the line.”
At the end of the day, it’s only two practices, but Narveson’s new teammates have taken notice. In an interview with LaFleur, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic would mention that Jaire Alexander told LaFleur “I love this guy,” in reference to Narveson. Jordan Love would add “He made some pretty impressive kicks,” when asked about Narveson.
For LaFleur, if–or when–the Packers find themselves in a situation on Friday that could require a field goal attempt, he said on Sunday that he has “seen enough to be confident” in Narveson to make the kick.
Narveson’s path to the NFL was a bit unusual in the sense that he played at four different schools in six college seasons, but it was a path that he believes prepared him well for life in the NFL and the situation he currently finds himself in with the Packers.
“It was like an NFL journey,” said Narveson. “You go in, you compete. You go in and compete. You go in and–every time I was at a new school I had to win a whole new audience over. And I had to go compete against new guys, right? So it just put me in a whole new frame of mind that every single day matters.”
Narveson went undrafted this past April out of North Carolina State, and the only team that tried to sign him following the draft was the Tennessee Titans–at least to his knowledge. With Nick Folk, who made 96.7% of his kicks in 2023, still in Tennessee, Narveson knew he wasn’t going to be the Titans’ kicker this season.
However, what Tennessee gave him was an opportunity to showcase to the rest of the NFL that he can be a kicker in this league, and if all had worked out well for the Titans, Narveson would be on their practice squad right now. Over the Titans’ three preseason games, Narveson made 6-of-7 field goal attempts, including a 59-yarder and a game-winner.
“They’re like look, you deserve to go play somewhere,” said Narveson of Titans’ GM Ran Carton and head coach Brain Callahan. “We would love to have you back here but you deserve what you’re going to get.”
By GM Brian Gutekunst’s own admission last week, he mentioned that he could be a bit impatient when it comes to the specialists position. With that said, given the opportunity that sits in front of this Packers’ team this season, one can understand why there is a lack of patience. In a game where the margins for winning and losing, particularly during the playoffs, is razor thin, Gutekunst has to get the kicker position right.
First impressions can be great and, to a degree, they very much matter. But at the end of the day, Narveson does have to perform or the Packers could be looking for a new kicker. This is a reality that he is aware of and one that he’s comfortable entering.
“They asked me when I went to NC State,” said Narveson, “I was following up a Lou Groza winner and they were like, ‘There’s a lot of pressure coming with that. Is that something that you think about?’ I’m like, ‘No, I’m going to go out and execute to the best of my ability and I know I belong.’
“I know I’m here for a reason. The team believes in me, the coach believes me, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. So, at the end of the day, I’m going to go out and prepare every single day like it’s a game and then, when gameday comes, I’m going to execute.”