Packers fans have watched this nightmare play out for three straight years, and somehow Green Bay still hasn’t figured out how to fix its kicking game.
Trey Smack is the latest name added to the list of problems, and after his recent misses, it’s getting harder to defend the decision to trust him with the job. Missing a 26-yard field goal and having a 35-yard attempt blocked in a three-point loss to Detroit was bad enough. Then he missed another extra point against Carolina.
At some point, enough is enough. Green Bay cannot keep throwing away valuable points because its special teams unit can’t do the simplest part of the job.
And this isn’t just a Trey Smack problem. It’s become a full-blown organizational problem.
Since moving on from Mason Crosby, Green Bay has cycled through kicker after kicker without finding a dependable long-term replacement.
Here’s the list:
- Anders Carlson (2023): Drafted to replace Crosby, Carlson went 27-of-33 on field goals in the regular season but struggled with important kicks, including a costly playoff miss against San Francisco.
- Brayden Narveson (2024): Got the starting job but struggled with consistency and was released after just six games.
- Brandon McManus (2024–2025): Initially looked like the answer, making 20 of 21 field goals in 2024. But his struggles continued into 2025, including three missed kicks in the playoff loss to Chicago.
- Lucas Havrisik (2025): Filled in while McManus was injured and even set a Packers franchise record with a 61-yard field goal, but wasn’t established as the permanent answer.
- Trey Smack (2026): Green Bay spent a sixth-round pick on him, only for the rookie to struggle badly. He’s missed multiple field goals and extra points already.
Greg Joseph, Alex Hale and Lenny Krieg have also been part of the revolving door of kicking options in Green Bay. NFL+2
The most frustrating part is that this franchise has had plenty of opportunities to fix the problem. Instead, fans are watching the same mistakes happen over and over again.
And special teams go beyond the kicker. The Packers have had problems with returns, coverage and execution, too. This is supposed to be a team capable of competing for a Super Bowl, yet one of the most important phases of football continues to look like an afterthought.
Smack may be a rookie, but Green Bay doesn’t have the luxury of waiting around if his struggles continue. The team already watched its kicking problems cost it in previous seasons.
Packers fans deserve better than another season of holding their breath every time the kicking unit takes the field. Trey Smack hasn’t shown enough to make anyone comfortable, and Green Bay needs to stop pretending this problem will magically fix itself.
