At this point in the offseason, NFL free agency doesn’t typically have that many big-name players. However, this year an exception is occurring. Several veterans are waiting for a new opportunity. Such is the case at the kicker position, where Mason Crosby tops the list of best available players.
Let’s remember that the Packers, where Crosby played for 16 seasons, decided not to hire him again. To replace him, the Green Bay team chose Anders Carlson in the last NFL Draft. However, the 38-year-old kicker is not yet contemplating retirement.
In fact, Crosby is preparing to hold his own while a call comes in from a team needing his services. He revealed this in a recent interview for ESPN Wisconsin, quoted by Rob Reischel from Forbes.
Former #Packers PK Mason Crosby is ready to kick in 2023 if — and when — teams start calling. My story at @ForbesSports https://t.co/CuC4tHBL75
— Rob Reischel (@robreischel) June 30, 2023
“Never discard anything in this game”Crosby said. “Weird things happen every year and you never know. You never know what is going to happen. I’m getting ready for training camp, and I feel good. I’m excited for what that next opportunity holds, we’ll see what happens.”
Despite his erratic performance in 2017 and 2021, Mason Crosby has maintained a strong performance over the years. In the 2022 season, the kicker made 25 of his 29 field goal attempts (86.2%) and 37 of 39 on extra point attempts (94.9%). Besides, Crosby has never missed a game since his college football days. That is, he has played 328 consecutive games, 258 of them in the NFL.
In his entire College and NFL career, Mason Crosby has never missed a game, playing in 328 straight pic.twitter.com/1nd91F1kUl
— Packers Nation (@PackersNationCP) June 28, 2023
In fact, consistency and durability are Crosby’s best assets in free agency compared to other big-name candidates. Robbie Gould, formerly of the 49ers, worries about his injuries and his 40 years of age, while Ryan Succop (former Bucs) and Brett Maher (former Cowboys) raise questions about his recent reliability.
Yet all of these kickers are still without a team just days before training camp begins. This is surprising, since there are several franchises looking for a guarantee kicker for this season. And among them, as we well know, are the Cowboys.
Should the Cowboys sign Mason Crosby?
Let’s remember that, after what happened in the playoffs, the Cowboys decided not to hire Brett Maher again. This despite his performance in the regular season, which left him close to a Pro Bowl nomination. At the moment, Dallas has Tristan Vizcaíno as the only kicker on the roster. And while the team has said it plans to bring in another contender for the job, that hasn’t happened yet.
Now, let’s also remember that coordinator John Fassel mentioned Crosby weeks ago as a possible candidate to probe. Likewise, “Bones” named Succop, Gould, and even did not rule out a possible return of Maher. Basically, he said any available kicker would be under consideration.
Although there is nothing concrete about it, there are those who connect Mason Crosby with the Cowboys because of one factor: Mike McCarthy. Let’s remember that the kicker coincided with the head coach in Green Bay for several years. Therefore, this could be a factor that brings the veteran specialist closer to Dallas.
Mason Crosby for the win! ???? #DALvsGB pic.twitter.com/zb0mYZj2Ob
— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2022
However, the Cowboys may be looking for specific requirements in their new kicker: reliability and low cost. The team will possibly want a kicker they can pay no more than $1 million a year. That was Maher’s salary in 2022, and it’s far less than it would cost to have Gould, Crosby or Succop.
Until there is no movement on the matter, Mason Crosby will continue to sound like a possible reinforcement for the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Dallas may also be scouting candidates in the USFL after the end of its 2023 season. As John Fassel said, all available kickers are up for consideration.
However, how long will it take for Dallas to strengthen the position? While the other teams in need haven’t gone after the aforementioned candidates, they won’t be around forever. Therefore, the Cowboys must move soon. Especially if they don’t want another position headache like the one they experienced last postseason.
2023-07-05 17:30:59
#Kicker #Mason #Crosby #waiting #challenge
