Could the Packers be interested in recently released kicker Riley Patterson?

The Washington Commanders completed a trade from the Cleveland Browns for kicker Cade York on Wednesday morning. The resulting roster change was the release of kicker Riley Patterson, a veteran kicker who struggled throughout training camp in Washington.

Could the Packers, who themselves have problems with their kicker, be interested?

Patterson, an undrafted kicker from Memphis, is entering his fourth NFL season after kicking for three different teams in his first three seasons – the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. Patterson has converted 59 of 67 field goal attempts, or 88.1 percent, and 93 of 97 extra points, or 95.9 percent. On kicks of 40 yards or more, Patterson has made 19 of 25, or 76 percent. On kicks of 50 yards or more, he has converted 3 of 6, with a career-high 53 yards.

Patterson, 24, has struggled with the Commanders this summer. In two preseason games, Patterson made just two of five field goal attempts and missed three from 30 to 49 yards.

The Packers currently have two competitors competing: Anders Carlson, the incumbent and 2023 draft pick who struggled to finish his rookie season, veteran Greg Joseph, who played for the Vikings between 2021 and 2023 but has struggled in training camp recently, and rookie Alex Hale, an Australian native who was named the team's new national player on Wednesday.

The Packers will soon have to decide who will kick in Week 1. The final cuts will be made next Tuesday. In a league that is hungry for consistently good kickers, Patterson could be in demand.

For a team that plays its home games at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Patterson's indoor/outdoor split is worth considering.

When playing indoors, Patterson hits 29 of 30 field goals and 47 of 48 extra points. Almost perfect. Outdoors? Patterson hits 30 of 37 field goals and 46 of 49 extra points. So most of his missed shots have happened outside the comfortable kicking zone of an indoor gym.

It's worth noting that Patterson was available when the Packers signed kicker Jack Podlesny in January. The Jaguars signed Patterson on February 6, and the Commanders acquired Patterson from the Jaguars on July 31.

Do the Packers want to add another kicker before making final cuts, or will they let the competition wind down over the next week — with a joint practice with the Ravens on Thursday and the final preseason game on Saturday — before making a decision? Patterson is available now if the Packers want to step up the competition.