It took only two practices forGreen Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur to change his stance on starting the season with a new, untested kicker. LaFleur initially expressed concerns about heading into Friday’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil with rookie kicker Brayden Narveson, who had never played a game for the Packers. However, after witnessing Narveson’s impressive performance during practice, LaFleur’s concerns have significantly diminished.

Narveson’s Strong First Impression

Before Narveson joined the team last week, LaFleur described the situation as “uncharted territory,” acknowledging that the presence of a new kicker could potentially influence in-game decisions. But after observing Narveson’s accuracy and poise during his first two kicking sessions, LaFleur’s confidence in the rookie kicker grew.

During his first practice at Lambeau Field, Narveson made all five of his kicks, including a challenging 58-yard field goal in windy conditions. On Sunday, Narveson continued to impress by successfully converting 5-of-6 kicks, with the only miss being a 51-yarder, which he quickly followed up with a successful 53-yard attempt.

LaFleur’s change in attitude was evident when he commented:

“Yeah, I’ve seen enough to be confident in him. If you’re asking: Do I have confidence in him? Absolutely.”

A New Opportunity

Narveson, who was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans, is now the Packers‘ sixth kicker since last season. Although the Packers had initially studied Narveson during the draft process, they did not offer him a contract at the time. Narveson’s strong performance during the preseason with the Titans, including a 59-yard field goal and a game-winning kick, eventually earned him a spot on the Packers‘ roster.

With his recent success, Narveson is eager to seize this new opportunity and continue proving himself as the Packers‘ reliable kicker for the season ahead.