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Trey Smack #29 of the Florida Gators kicks an extra point during the first half of the Florida Orange & Blue Spring Game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images for ONIT)

The Green Bay Packers have had a major struggle finding a long-term kicker since Mason Crosby left town. They have been through quite a few players at the position, but none of them have instilled confidence.

Brandon McManus appeared to be ready to fix that issue. He was given a lucrative three-year, $15.3 million contract last offseason. Unfortunately, he has lost the trust of most fans after his dismal performance in the playoffs against the Chicago Bears.

Due to the struggles he had late last season, the Packers made an aggressive move in the 2026 NFL Draft. They traded up from the seventh round to the sixth round to select Florida kicker Trey Smack.

Outside of his epic name for being a kicker, Smack has had a lot of success in the SEC. There are many who believe that Green Bay will keep him around and make him the starter over McManus.

With that being said, there were some fans who were unhappy with the team trading for Smack. They would have preferred the Packers to wait and select him in the seventh round. That likely wouldn’t have happened based on a new report.

Packers Fans Learn New Development About Trey Smack

According to a report from longtime Green Bay reporter Gery Woelfel, three other teams were wanting Smack before the Packers traded up for him.

“The Packers traded up to the sixth round to draft ex-Florida kicker Trey Smack, assuming he would be off the board when they picked in the final round,” Woelfel wrote on X.

“Their assumption was correct. I was told at least three teams — all picking early in the seventh round — coveted Smack. Those teams are the Saints, Raiders and Jets.”

If Green Bay had waited until it picked in the seventh round, Smack would have been gone. Brian Gutekunst decided to be aggressive to go get his guy. Hopefully, that move pays off for both him and the franchise.

Trey Smack Has a Very Successful College Track Record

Looking at the numbers, there are obvious reasons to be excited about Smack’s potential.

During his three-year career in the SEC with the Gators, Smack kicked well on a consistent basis. He made 53 of his 64 field goal attempts and 100 of his 101 extra point opportunities.

On kicks from 20-29 yards, he connected on all 14 of his attempts. He made 15 of his 18 kicks from 30-39 yards, 14 of his 19 attempts from 40-49, and 10 of his 13 kicks from 50+ yards out.

Granted, the Packers have had some rough luck with rookie kickers. Anders Carlson struggled quite a bit and Brayden Narveson had his bad moments too. Smack will likely have some of those moments as a young kicker as well.

That being said, Smack has a leg on him. He seems to be much more dangerous from long distance than McManus. It’s possible he could win the job based on that fact.