The Green Bay Packers made a bold move in the draft, trading away two seventh-round picks to jump into the sixth round and select Florida kicker Trey Smack. It's a clear signal that the team is serious about fixing its long-standing special teams issues.
For years, Packers fans have watched the kicking game struggle, and the 2025 season was no exception. Veteran kicker Brandon McManus had a tough year, connecting on just 24 of 30 field goals and 32 of 33 extra points. The low point came in the Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, where McManus missed two field goals and an extra point—mistakes that proved costly in a playoff game.
Despite McManus's struggles, he's still on the roster with two years left on his three-year, $15.3 million deal. But he'll have to earn his spot. The Packers are bringing in competition, with Smack and Lucas Havrisik both vying for the starting job.
New special teams coordinator Cam Achord spoke about the decision to draft Smack, emphasizing it was a collaborative effort. "It's not just projecting their first year but what they can be in Year 2, 3, 4," Achord explained. That long-term thinking shows the Packers are looking beyond just one season.
Smack brings an impressive college resume to Green Bay. Over three years as Florida's starter, he was remarkably consistent. As a sophomore, he made all 29 extra points and 17 of 21 field goals. His junior year was even better—perfect on 44 extra points and 18 of 21 field goals. And in his senior season, he hit 27 of 28 extra points and 18 of 22 field goals.
What sets Smack apart? According to Achord, it's his accuracy. "Straight ball accuracy… his ball not moving was definitely a big part of it," he said. That kind of reliability is exactly what the Packers need.
Havrisik shouldn't be overlooked either. He appeared in three games for Green Bay in 2025 while McManus was injured, making all four of his field goal attempts and seven of nine extra points. He'll have a legitimate shot in the competition.
For the Packers, getting the kicking game right is crucial. A reliable special teams unit could be the difference between an early playoff exit and a Super Bowl run in 2026. With Achord leading the charge and a three-way battle for the kicking job, Green Bay is betting that competition will bring out the best in everyone.