The Green Bay Packers are confident they’ll be able to re-sign soon-to-be free agent kicker Mason Crosby.
GM Brian Gutekunst told the team’s official website that he’s “very hopeful” Crosby will be back in Green Bay in 2020 and beyond.
“I think when you have a guy who has been through the fire like Mason has, for a guy in my position it makes us feel very comfortable,” Gutekunst said, via Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “He obviously had an excellent year last year. He’s a big part of our team, a big part of what we’re trying to do here. I’m very hopeful that will reach the right ending.”
Crosby, who turns 36 in September, connected on 22 of 24 field goals, tying the franchise record for field goal percentage in a single season at 91.7. He missed just three kicks all year and hit 46 of 47 extra points, including the postseason.
Bringing back Crosby will cost the Packers a chunk of their available cap space, but having a reliable kicker with leadership qualities is worth the cost to Gutekunst.
In January, Gutekunst expressed confidence in Crosby’s ability to remain an effective kicker for several more years.
“From my scout’s eye, his leg strength, his power, his accuracy, it’s all there. Mason is going to kick for quite a while longer if he wants to,” Gutekunst said at his season-ending press conference.
The Packers made Crosby a sixth-round pick in 2007. He is now the franchise’s leader in field goal made, extra points made, points scored, 50-yard field goals made and consecutive field goals made. He’s also kicked the seven longest field goals in Packers history.
Crosby’s previous deal paid out $16.1 million over four years, including a $5 million signing bonus. The NFL’s highest-paid kicker by average salary is Justin Tucker, who makes $5 million per year. Robbie Gould, a fair comparison for Crosby, makes $4.75 million per year on a deal signed before the 2019 season.
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