National Champion Signs With Packers Off Waivers: Report

James Turner, a former kicker for the Michigan Wolverines, has recently joined the Green Bay Packers’ training camp roster as part of their ongoing shake-up at the position.

Turner was claimed off waivers by the Packers shortly after being waived by the Detroit Lions. Through X, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo verified the information.

Jack Podlesny was released by the Packers in response to their acquisition of a new kicker.

The action was taken after UFL star kicker Jakes Bates was signed by the Lions. Bates was another player the Packers had asked to visit, but they were unable to get him. Turner is Detroit’s backup option, and Green Bay will take him in the hopes that he can establish himself during training camp.

James Turner: Who Is He?
Typically, kickers are not the team’s main players. Turner’s undergraduate career came to a strong conclusion despite this.

Turner began his career with the Cardinals in Louisville. After a difficult year in 2021, he rebounded the next season and was named to the third team of the ACC.

Turner, who transferred to Michigan for the 2023 season, brought some momentum to Ann Arbor after his successful comeback season. He made 18 of his 21 field goals and set a program record with 65 extra point conversions on 66 attempts. In addition to being named to the Big Ten second team, Turner finished his collegiate career as a national champion.

Turner wasn’t able to demonstrate much leg strength in college, despite his good accuracy. Although he was only able to convert three of his four efforts from 50 yards or more in 2023, his longest field goal to date is 50 yards.

Unfortunately, Turner was not drafted because of that. The good news is that he found his first NFL opportunity really quickly. He agreed to an undrafted contract.

Turner will still have an opportunity to make an NFL roster with the Packers during training camp, even though the Lions selected a more experienced kicker for their camp.

Anders Carlson Is Definitely Under Investigation
In 2022, the Packers selected a kicker in the draft. Unfortunately, it appears that after a subpar training camp, Anders Carlson may already be out of the picture.

Carlson was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft by Auburn. Although he occasionally displayed some real leg strength, he had a terrible problem staying consistent. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, he had the most missed field goals and extra points in the NFL—13.