**Jets’ Latest Addition of Ex-Packer Sparks Reactions from Fans**
The New York Jets have stirred reactions from fans yet again with their signing of another former Green Bay Packers player. Since the trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, the Jets have increasingly built their roster around former Packers in an effort to cater to Rodgers. The first hires in this trend were offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and wide receiver Allen Lazard, both familiar faces from Rodgers’ Packers days.
Following the Rodgers trade, the Jets continued adding ex-Packers, including wide receiver Randall Cobb and offensive lineman Billy Turner. Both Adrian Amos and Tim Boyle also joined the Jets earlier in 2023, though neither completed the season with the team.
Most notably, the Jets recently made a high-profile trade for Davante Adams, reuniting Rodgers with his former top target. In three games back with Rodgers, Adams has contributed 14 receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown.
Despite these acquisitions, the Jets’ latest addition has sparked widespread reactions. On Friday, they made a change at kicker, releasing Riley Patterson and adding former Packers kicker Anders Carlson to the practice squad. Carlson was initially drafted by Green Bay to replace longtime Packers kicker Mason Crosby. However, Carlson struggled in his rookie year, eventually losing his role during training camp, leading Green Bay to rely on Greg Joseph, then Brayden Narveson, and most recently, Brandon McManus.
Currently, the Jets have been using Greg Zuerlein, who has had a tough season, making just nine of 15 field goal attempts (60%) and missing one extra point. Placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, Zuerlein’s absence has forced the Jets to rotate kickers, with Spencer Shrader set to be their starter, marking the team’s third kicker in as many weeks.
While Carlson has most recently been with the San Francisco 49ers, his reputation remains mixed; he was perfect on field goals in two games, even achieving a 55-yard long but missed one of his extra-point attempts, an issue that plagued his rookie year.
Jets fans took to social media to express both amusement and frustration at this latest addition. Though Carlson never played directly with Rodgers, his arrival follows a pattern of Packers connections in New York. Fans’ reactions capture the irony of so many former Packers following Rodgers to the Jets, making for a recurring theme this season.
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