The Tennessee Titans claimed an exciting last-second 16-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Saturday's Week 2 preseason game. Undrafted rookie kicker Brayden Narveson stole the spotlight.
The UDFA out of NC State enjoyed a phenomenal fourth quarter. Narveson first successfully made a 21-yarder to narrow Seattle's advantage to 12-10. He then gave the Titans a one-point lead with a breathtaking 59 yard conversion. After the Seahawks reclaimed a 15-13 lead through a Jason Myers field goal, Mason Rudolph led the Titans down the field, setting up a 46-yard winner from Narveson as time expired.
THE ROOKIE FROM 59! @20Brayden
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 18, 2024
📺: Watch #SEAvsTEN on @WKRN and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/3TVRXSsE9Z
And just like that, a new preseason hero was born.
Who is Brayden Narveson?
Narveson signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Scottsdale, Arizona native spent the 2023 college football season playing for NC State. Narveson previously kicked at Western Kentucky (2020-22) and Iowa State (2019).
Narveson was extremely productive for the Wolfpack last season.
Narevson converted 18-of-23 attempts for a make percentage of 78.26%. He consistently served as an extension of the offense by finishing the 2023 campaign tied for ninth in the ACC in scoring with 7.1 points per contest. Narveson's 59-yard field versus the Seahawks on Saturday was no fluke. He flashed that leg strength at NC State when he made a 57-yarder at Duke, the longest made field goal in program history.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan was full of praise for Narveson during his post-game presser, but declined to say the undrafted kicker possesses a legitimate shot to dethrone veteran Nick Folk as the team's starting kicker.
"At this point, no, I don't think so," Callahan said when asked if there's an ongoing kicking battle between Narveson and Folk. "But I think it was good to see him hit from 59 . "I don't think it changes much, but it was a very positive development for us, and for him, you put that on tape in a live-action game, and you'll get a lot of action for hitting that field goal."
Nick Folk’s job is not in jeopardy. #Titans pic.twitter.com/1OfIJKHtwZ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 18, 2024
The Titans signed Folk to a one-year contract extension in March worth $3.755 million with $3.5 million guaranteed. Folk arguably delivered the best single-season kicking performance in franchise history during the 2023 season. He went 29-of-30, and his 96.7% conversion rate is the greatest single-season mark the organization has ever seen.
If the Titans are going to release Narveson at final cuts, they'll almost certainly attempt to stash him on the practice squad. Narveson could develop behind the scenes as Folk's eventual successor given the latter's advancing age. Saturday's breathtaking performance strongly indicates he would land on another 53-man roster though if the Titans cut him.