The Green Bay Packers are making big moves in their kicking game, and all eyes are on rookie standout Trey Smack. The team has officially released veteran kicker Brandon McManus, signaling a major vote of confidence in the Florida product they traded up for in last month's NFL Draft—giving up two seventh-round picks to bring him to Lambeau.

McManus joined the Packers during Week 7 of the 2024 season and delivered a solid stretch, hitting 24 of 30 field goals and making 13 straight attempts to close out the regular season. But inconsistency from beyond 50 yards and a couple of crucial misses—including a tough playoff performance—sparked questions about the position.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear back in February that he wanted competition at kicker, and he was adamant it wasn't a reaction to McManus' injury struggles or postseason slip-up. "He made 32 straight kicks up until that game," Gutekunst said at the combine. "He worked through an injury thing early in the year, which I commend him for fighting through... once he got through it, he was really, really good until that final game. So he's a pro's pro."

Gutekunst also praised McManus' ability to handle weather conditions, but stressed that competition is always healthy. "One thing that I've always felt good about is he knows how to kick in weather... but yeah, we'll have competition at that spot. Not because of anything that happened this past year, just I think you always want competition at that spot."

Now, that competition looks like it's Trey Smack's to lose. Over three years at Florida, Smack connected on 82.8 percent of his field goals (53-of-64), including an impressive 10-of-13 from 50 yards and beyond. That kind of deep-ball reliability is exactly what the Packers need in the cold, windy months ahead.

While a camp battle could still unfold, the release of McManus suggests Green Bay is ready to put their faith in the rookie's leg. For Packers fans, it's a new era at kicker—and one that could pay off big when the pressure is on.