A legendary Green Bay Packers player is still a free agent, but they still plan to play in the NFL in 2023, wherever that may be.
The Green Bay Packers have had some turnover this offseason, with some big names that had been mainstays with the organization now playing elsewhere.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now on the New York Jets after a blockbuster trade. Joining him in New York are wide receivers Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard.
Another player who had been with the organization for a long time was kicker Mason Crosby, who became a free agent at the end of the 2022 season. The team opted to go in a different direction, drafting Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the NFL Draft out of Auburn.
Even though Crosby remains unsigned, Crosby told ESPN Wisconsin that he plans on playing this upcoming season, and is getting himself ready for training camp in case he were to get a call from an interested team.
"I'm getting myself ready for training camp and feeling good," Crosby said, h/t Forbes. "I'm excited for what this next opportunity holds, and we'll see what happens.
"It's been unreal that this is the first time in 16 years that I've been a free agent. Been so fortunate and really thankful that through all these years I've been able to get a deal done with the Packers before I ever tested the market. So, it's a little bit unknown."
Former Packers kicker Mason Crosby preparing to play in 2023
This past season with the Packers, Crosby made 25-of-29 field goal attempts in all 17 of the team's games. He was 10-for-10 from 20-29 yards, 8-for-8 from 30-39 yards, 6-for-7 from 40-49 yards, and 1-for-4 from 50 yards and beyond.
In his entire 16-year career with the Packers, Crosby made 395-of-485 field goal attempts. Those are the most successful field goals and most attempts by any kicker in Packers history.
As for Carlson, he's coming off a 2022 season in which he made 12-of-17 field goal attempts and all 22 of his extra point attempts in nine games played. Through his four years at Auburn, Carlson made 79-of-110 field goal attempts and 173-of-176 extra point attempts in 56 games.
While the team seemingly moved on from Crosby in favor of Carlson, he didn't rule out a potential return.
"Never count anything out in this game," Crosby said, h/t Forbes. "Weird stuff happens every year and you never know. You never know what's going to happen."
With training camp set to begin later this month, it will be interesting to see if a team gives Crosby a call to try out or to fill a vacancy on their placekicking depth chart.
