The Las Vegas Raiders may need to find a new kicker after the 2025 NFL season, as Daniel Carlson appears to have lost his reliable form. Historically, the Raiders have featured several legendary kickers. George Blanda paved the way for Sebastian Janikowski, and two years after Janikowski’s retirement, the team added Daniel Carlson midway through the 2018 season.
Carlson quickly became a fan favorite in Raider Nation, earning the nickname “Cash Money Carlson” due to his consistency and clutch kicking. For many years, he delivered solid performances and was a key player for the Silver and Black.
However, his performance has declined in recent seasons, especially during the 2025 NFL season, where he no longer looks like the dependable kicker he once was.
The Week 9 match against the Jacksonville Jaguars highlighted Carlson's struggles. He failed to kick the ball deep into the landing zone on the opening drive, setting a poor tone for the Raiders. Additionally, he missed an extra point in the first half. This mistake proved costly when the game went into overtime and the Raiders lost by a single point.
Carlson's poor performance was sharply contrasted by Jaguars’ second-year kicker Cam Little, who set an NFL record with a 68-yard field goal to close the first half.
“The frustration was clear,” said head coach Pete Carroll during his postgame media availability.
Daniel Carlson’s once-reliable kicking has faltered in 2025, and the Raiders may need to consider alternatives moving forward.