By Jordan Long
The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The Raiders are looking to improve on their 6-6 record. The Raiders decided to extend the contract of kicker Daniel Carlson.
Carlson has been the Raiders kicker since 2018. He started that year with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings cut him after a 29-29 overtime tie to the Green Bay Packers. In that game, he cost the Vikings a victory because he missed 3 field goals including two in overtime.
The Raiders picked him up prior to their week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Raiders dropped that game 42-28. Carlson only nailed PAT’s (point after touchdown) that day. He was perfect. After that Carlson became their full-time kicker. He was able to show what he could do. Carlson was 16 of 17 that year with a long of 50 yards. His only miss came against the San Francisco 49ers in week 9. It was a 45-yard field goal. In the end, it wouldn’t have mattered since the Raiders were drummed 34-3.
In 2019, his stats dipped. He wasn’t the reliable kicker he was in 2018. He ended up making 19 of 26 field goals or nailing 73.1% of his kicks, the worst in Carlson’s career to this point. His long was 48 yards. Carlson was also 34 of 36 on PAT’s.
Last season Carlson’s stats improved. He was 33 of 35 in field goals or a make percentage of 94.3%. He had a long of 54 yards. On PAT’s Carlson was 45 of 47. The Raiders were hoping that trend of him making field goals would keep going into this year.
Carlson has been reliable this season. Once the Raiders’ offense drives into opponents’ territory, they can rely on Carlson when their drive stalls. He has been accurate this year kicking. Carlson has made 27 of 30 field goals with a long of 56 yards. On PAT’s he is 23 of 25.
The Raiders rewarded him with a contract extension. It will keep Carlson in Las Vegas for the next 4 years. The deal will pay him $18.4 million total and $10.2 million of that is guaranteed. This new agreement tells him the Raiders expect him to be a large part of the special teams and make field goals. If he starts to miss and it costs the Raiders games, they will regret this move. Hopefully, Carlson can be the kicker for years to come. They would like it if Carlson can help them win big games and maybe advance in the playoffs as well with his leg.
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