The Packers have claimed James Turner off waivers, adding another participant to their kicking competition. Turner, 23, recently joined the league as an undrafted free agent after a year with the Lions. Prior to his time with the Wolverines, Turner kicked for Louisville between 2019-2022. In 2023, he made 18-of-21 field goal attempts and set a single-season record at Michigan with 65 successful PATs. With the addition of Turner, the Packers are hoping to bolster their kicking game as they head into the upcoming season.
The competition among Carlson, Joseph, and Turner will be fierce as they all vie for the starting kicker position. Each kicker brings a unique set of skills and experience to the table, making the decision even more challenging for the Packers coaching staff. As training camp progresses, it will be interesting to see how each kicker performs and who ultimately wins the starting job.
Turner’s success in college shows promise for his potential in the NFL. With Michigan and Louisville both having strong kicking programs, it is clear that Turner has a solid foundation on which to build his professional career.
The Packers had previously waived kicker Jack Podlesny on Wednesday, leaving Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph as the other kickers on the team’s roster. With three participants in their kicking competition now, it will be exciting to see how each one performs during training camp and who emerges as the top choice for the season.
Overall, with their diverse group of kickers bringing different sets of skills and experience to the table, it is clear that this competition will be anything but easy for Green Bay’s coaching staff. However, whichever player emerges as Green Bay’s top choice for their kicking game next season will have earned their spot based on merit alone.
