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One might assume that Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack is under a bit of pressure.
We all know how dangerous assumptions can be, of course, but it would make sense if Smack is feeling the weight of the expectations that have been placed on him.
This is the Packers were talking about, after all. One of the most historic and iconic franchises not just in the NFL, but in all of sports.
Those Packers have made it very clear that they believe in Smack to help them keep this Super Bowl window wide open.
If trading two seventh-round picks to move up to select him at the end of the seventh in a pick-light draft didn't prove that, releasing veteran kicker Brandon McManus not long after that was a big ole green light for Smack.
"I think it was only fair to Brandon and to our football team to make the move now," LaFleur had said. "I think we were just trying to put Trey in the best position possible moving forward, and he's going to get the bulk of it."
Getting "the bulk of it" meant that Smack basically got to take every kick during OTAs and in minicamp. Unfortunately, for both him and the Packers, the results were inconsistent.
Last week at OTAs, he went 5-of-9. He responded a bit during Tuesday's minicamp practice, which was open to the media. During that session, Smack hit 7-of-8 field goal attempts, including a 58-yard field goal.
Most Packers fans likely breathed a sigh of relief after that practice, but life with a rookie kicker comes with its ups and downs. The Packers found that out with Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson.
The hope in Green Bay has to be that Smack is working through some things while the time to practice and adjust is now. An update on the rookies in minicamp from ESPN's Rob Demovsky won't have anybody feeling great, though.
"If there's concern about any of the draft picks, it's sixth-rounder Trey Smack," Demovsky reported on Thursday. "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.
Again, inconsistencies from a rookie can be expected. That's why Green Bay likes to draft players and stash them for a season or two while they figure out the NFL.
That wasn't the approach they took with Smack, though, and they absolutely are taking a risk by doing that.
Will the risk pay off? Smack was easily the best kicker prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, so there's that. He's got a big leg, and he made 82.8% of his field goals in three seasons with the Florida Gators while going 100-for-101 on extra points.
If he's feeling the pressure in Green Bay, though, that may lead to some inconsistencies during his rookie season. Again, that's a big assumption, but being a kicker in the NFL always comes with pressure.
Being the kicker for the Packers, though? Right now? With not just playoff expectations but Super Bowl expectations in full gear?
That has got to be intense.
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We all know how dangerous assumptions can be, of course, but it would make sense if Smack is feeling the weight of the expectations that have been placed on him.
This is the Packers were talking about, after all. One of the most historic and iconic franchises not just in the NFL, but in all of sports.
Those Packers have made it very clear that they believe in Smack to help them keep this Super Bowl window wide open.
If trading two seventh-round picks to move up to select him at the end of the seventh in a pick-light draft didn't prove that, releasing veteran kicker Brandon McManus not long after that was a big ole green light for Smack.
"I think it was only fair to Brandon and to our football team to make the move now," LaFleur had said. "I think we were just trying to put Trey in the best position possible moving forward, and he's going to get the bulk of it."
Getting "the bulk of it" meant that Smack basically got to take every kick during OTAs and in minicamp. Unfortunately, for both him and the Packers, the results were inconsistent.
Last week at OTAs, he went 5-of-9. He responded a bit during Tuesday's minicamp practice, which was open to the media. During that session, Smack hit 7-of-8 field goal attempts, including a 58-yard field goal.
Most Packers fans likely breathed a sigh of relief after that practice, but life with a rookie kicker comes with its ups and downs. The Packers found that out with Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson.
The hope in Green Bay has to be that Smack is working through some things while the time to practice and adjust is now. An update on the rookies in minicamp from ESPN's Rob Demovsky won't have anybody feeling great, though.
"If there's concern about any of the draft picks, it's sixth-rounder Trey Smack," Demovsky reported on Thursday. "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.
Again, inconsistencies from a rookie can be expected. That's why Green Bay likes to draft players and stash them for a season or two while they figure out the NFL.
That wasn't the approach they took with Smack, though, and they absolutely are taking a risk by doing that.
Will the risk pay off? Smack was easily the best kicker prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, so there's that. He's got a big leg, and he made 82.8% of his field goals in three seasons with the Florida Gators while going 100-for-101 on extra points.
If he's feeling the pressure in Green Bay, though, that may lead to some inconsistencies during his rookie season. Again, that's a big assumption, but being a kicker in the NFL always comes with pressure.
Being the kicker for the Packers, though? Right now? With not just playoff expectations but Super Bowl expectations in full gear?
That has got to be intense.
PackersRoundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Packers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
