The Green Bay Packers shocked many fans when they traded up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Flordia kicker Trey Smack. After addressing other needs with their first five selections, they traded their two seventh round picks to get back into the sixth round to take Smack.
While fans were surprised, they were not disappointed. Incumbent kicker Brandon McManus struggled last season, making 80.0% of his field goal attempts after making 95.2% of them in 2024.
The shock, though, was the result of Green Bay paying McManus a $1 million roster bonus back in March. Despite this, the Packers released him on Friday.
Why the Green Bay Packers want Trey Smack over Brandon McManus
When Green Bay selected Smack, many felt that McManus’ future in Green Bay was murky at best. As it turns out, he did not even make it to OTA’s.
The writing was on the wall based on what new special teams coordinator Cam Achord said to the media earlier this week:
“Straight ball, accuracy. [Smack’s] ball doesn’t move a lot. For me, I don’t need a guy — and I’ve been blessed to coach a lot of guys that are really good — I don’t need a guy that can kick 65 yards, personally. I want the guy who’s gonna put it through consistently from 58, 55, ’cause again, we’re playing in Green Bay.
“Whether I was coaching in New England, coaching in MetLife, we’re gonna play in elements and you’re not gonna need the 60-yard ball all the time. You’re gonna need the 45-yard ball with a 14-mile-an-hour crosswind, so his ball not moving and stuff like that was definitely a big part for me.”
Smack made 82.8% of his field goals during his college career and 100 of 101 extra point attempts. Clearly, he is the kicker the Packers feel most comfortable with going forward.
Lucas Havrisik, who made a 63-yard field goal last year, remains on the roster and could still compete for the job; but it certainly is Smack’s job to lose at this point.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!