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Former Packers 6th-Round Pick Anders Carlson Cut After Minicamp, Struggles to Find New Team

New York, NY – June 24, 2025

The New York Jets have released former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick, following a lackluster minicamp performance, per ESPN. The move leaves Carlson, once tasked with replacing Packers legend Mason Crosby, searching for a new NFL home as his career faces uncertainty.

Carlson’s lone season with Green Bay in 2023 was marked by inconsistency. Despite a powerful leg, he missed five field goals and four extra points, prompting his release, according to Pro Football Focus. Brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Jets followed, but Carlson’s struggles persisted. In 2024, he missed three extra points and two field goals within 40-49 yards for the Jets, though he showcased his range with a 58-yard field goal, per NFL.com.

At Jets’ minicamp, Carlson’s inconsistency overshadowed his potential. The team opted for undrafted rookie Caden Davis, signaling a lack of confidence in Carlson’s reliability, per Sporting News. “He’s got the leg, but the misses on routine kicks are costly,” an NBC Sports analyst noted.

Carlson’s challenges mirror the unforgiving nature of NFL kicking, where consistency trumps raw talent. His 2023-2024 stats—eight missed extra points and six missed field goals within 40-49 yards—highlight his struggles, per PFF. The Packers, after cycling through Carlson, Greg Joseph, and Brayden Narveson, settled on Brandon McManus, who hit 95.2% of his field goals in 2024 despite a key miss in a playoff loss to the Eagles, per CBS Sports.

At 27, Carlson’s youth offers hope, and his brother, Daniel Carlson, overcame early inconsistency with the Vikings to become a dependable kicker for the Raiders. Yet, with only two NFL seasons, time is ticking for Anders to prove his worth. “He needs a team willing to bet on his upside,” said Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.

With $12.3 million in cap space, per Spotrac, teams like the Washington Commanders or Atlanta Falcons, seeking kicking depth, could offer Carlson a training camp invite. If no NFL opportunities arise, the Canadian Football League, as seen with Narveson, looms as a fallback.

As training camps approach in late July, Carlson faces a critical juncture. Can he refine his accuracy to secure a roster spot, or will his NFL dreams fade? His journey underscores the razor-thin margins of professional kicking. Stay tuned to ESPN for updates.

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Saints Cheerleader Sues a Saints Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the New Orleans Saints is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Saints Cheer Krewe – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Saints history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team New Orleans Saints in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Saints Cheer Krewe group. She is a former student at the University of Louisiana, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Tulane University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Caesars Superdome, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Saints. As part of the Saints Cheer Krewe team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Saints games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_saints) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Saints, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Saints player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Saints – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Saints are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Saints "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!