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Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski argued signing a veteran kicker to compete with rookie Trey Smack should be on the Green Bay Packers remaining 2026 offseason to-do list.
The Green Bay Packers made a commitment to rookie kicker Trey Smack. The franchise selected him in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A few weeks later, the Packers released veteran Brandon McManus.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski didn’t call for Green Bay to bring back McManus. But after Smack showed inconsistencies during offseason workouts, Sobleski argued the Packers should bring in kicker competition.
On Tuesday, Sobleski released named the remaining to-do list for every NFL team for the rest of the 2026 offseason. Signing a veteran kicker was the last item on Sobleski’s to-do list for Green Bay.
“On special teams, the Packers chose to draft Trey Smack in this year’s sixth round. Typically, drafted kickers are a lock to make the roster. However, Smack looked shaky during his first sessions with the team,” wrote Sobleski.
“An experienced veteran should be signed for training camp to push or possibly replace the rookie.”
GettyBleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski argued signing a veteran kicker to compete with rookie Trey Smack should be on the Green Bay Packers remaining 2026 offseason to-do list.
Smack has pundits and Packers fans feeling uneasy about the team’s kicker situation because of his up and down spring.
At an offseason workouts open to the media on June 2, Smack connected on only 5 of 9 field goals. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported two of those misses were inside of 40 yards.
The rookie rebounded on June 10 at the team’s minicamp. That day, he went 7-for-8, only missing from 40 yards away.
The next day, though, Smack couldn’t make a 35-yard attempt at the end of practice.
“The kicker missed a 35-yard field goal in a two-minute drill during which the offense needed a field goal to win. It capped an inconsistent spring for Smack,” wrote Demovsky.
It’s important for NFL teams not to overreact to spring performances. But more than anything, kicking at offseason workouts could be an indication of what’s to come that fall.
Smack is only going to deal with more pressure as the summer goes and then during the regular season. If he’s already struggling with that, that’s not a good sign.
The rookie could certainly rebound. But adding a veteran to compete with him isn’t a bad idea.
It could lead to the Packers cutting their sixth-round pick. But admitting the selection was a mistake is better than Smack costing the team wins during a pivotal regular season.
GettyThe Green Bay Packers parted ways with Brandon McManus after drafting Trey Smack this offseason.
The Packers are in this position with Smack because of how the season ended with McManus.
The 34-year-old went 24-for-30 on field goals last season. Then in the NFC wild card matchup, McManus missed two field goals and an extra point. The Packers lost by four points.
Ironically, if the Packers add a veteran kicker to compete with Smack, they will be searching for someone like McManus. Although it appears highly unlikely Green Bay will be interested in bringing back McManus, who is still a free agent.
He spent two seasons with the Packers. In 2024, he made 95.2% of his field goals and every single extra point.
McManus kicked for the Denver Broncos for nine years before joining Green Bay. He also spent a year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In four seasons at Florida, Smack made 82.8% of his field goals. During 2025, he connected on 18 of 22 attempts (81.8%) and made 27 of 28 extra points.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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