The Las Vegas Raiders may soon need to replace their longtime kicker Daniel Carlson, whose accuracy and confidence have noticeably declined throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Historically, the Raiders have had a line of remarkable kickers. George Blanda paved the way for Sebastian Janikowski, and two years after Janikowski’s retirement, Daniel Carlson joined midseason in 2018, quickly becoming a favorite among fans for his reliable leg.
Fans called him "Cash Money Carlson" for his consistent accuracy and how often he came through in critical moments.
For several seasons, he lived up to that nickname. However, his consistency has faded recently, and in 2025, his struggles have become hard to ignore.
The Raiders’ Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars highlighted Carlson’s slump. During the opening drive, he failed to kick the ball into the landing zone, setting a poor tone. Later, he missed an extra point in the first half, which would haunt the team as the game went into overtime and ended with Las Vegas losing by a single point.
In a striking comparison, Jaguars kicker Cam Little nailed a record-breaking 68-yard field goal before halftime, emphasizing the stark difference in performance that day.
Head coach Pete Carroll admitted the situation was deeply frustrating during his postgame comments.
Daniel Carlson’s decline has left the Raiders facing uncertainty at a position that once felt automatic, signaling a possible change after the 2025 season.
Author’s summary: The Raiders’ long-trusted kicker Daniel Carlson is faltering, and his struggles could push the team to seek a new solution for 2026.