The Las Vegas Raiders might be in need of a new kicker after the 2025 NFL season, as Daniel Carlson's performance has notably declined. Historically, the Raiders have had a lineup of legendary kickers, including George Blanda and Sebastian Janikowski. After Seabass retired, Carlson joined the team midway through the 2018 season and quickly became a fan favorite.
Carlson earned the nickname "Cash Money Carlson" due to his accuracy and the team's heavy reliance on him, consistently delivering results for years. However, his recent form has declined, especially throughout the 2025 season, where he hasn't appeared to be at his best.
The game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9 perfectly demonstrated Carlson's recent issues. On the opening drive, he failed to kick the ball into the landing zone, setting a poor tone early. He also missed an extra point in the first half, which ultimately contributed to the Raiders' loss in overtime by one point.
In stark contrast, Jaguars' second-year kicker Cam Little made an NFL-record 68-yard field goal to close the first half, underlining the difference in kicking performances.
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll expressed his frustration about the situation during his postgame media availability.
The Raiders now face the challenge of addressing the kicker position following Carlson's recent decline.
"Cash Money Carlson" was celebrated for both his accuracy and the critical role he played in games for years.
Author's summary: Daniel Carlson's slipping accuracy in the 2025 season has created a significant problem for the Raiders, risking their stability in the kicker position moving forward.