Green Bay Packers Rookie Kicker Trey Smack Shows Encouraging Bounce‑Back at Minicamp
The Green Bay Packers didn’t draft Trey Smack in the sixth round just to “compete.” They drafted him to fix a special teams unit that cost them games last season, including the wild‑card loss to Chicago. And after a shaky showing at OTAs, the rookie delivered exactly the kind of response the team needed at the start of minicamp.
Smack went from hitting just 5‑of‑9 field goals last week to drilling 7‑of‑8 on Tuesday, including a booming 58‑yarder that cleared the crossbar with room to spare. For a team desperate for stability at kicker, that’s the kind of performance that settles stomachs.
Green Bay Packers Trey Smack Responds After Rough OTA Session
Last week’s misses, including a couple that sailed like a golf ball hooked into the trees, raised understandable concern. But Smack didn’t flinch. His approach stayed the same, and it paid off.
“Just no reaction every single day,” he said. “Last week, I had a bad day. Today was a good day. It’s still the same reaction.”
That even‑keeled mindset is exactly what the Packers hoped they were getting when they traded two seventh‑round picks to move up for him. And on Tuesday, it showed. Six of his seven makes were nearly dead‑center, and the lone miss came from 40 yards.
Matt LaFleur: “We’re Still in the Early Stages”
Head coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t panicking after Smack’s rough OTA outing, and he didn’t want anyone else to either.
“It’s just the whole operation,” LaFleur said. “They’re all getting used to each other… I think it’s just one of those days.”
The Green Bay Packers have an established snap‑hold duo in Matt Orzech and Daniel Whelan, but even with veterans around him, Smack still has to adjust to NFL timing, NFL pressure, and even the NFL football itself.
Why the Packers Need Smack to Win the Job
Trey Smack may have been the last of Green Bay’s six draft picks, but none of them face more immediate pressure. The Packers released veteran Brandon McManus shortly after drafting him, leaving only Lucas Havrisik as competition, and it’s clear who the team expects to emerge.
This isn’t a rebuilding roster where a rookie kicker can grow quietly. This is a playoff team with Super Bowl aspirations. Last year’s kicking issues weren’t a minor inconvenience; they were a deciding factor in multiple losses.
If Smack can stabilize the position, he instantly becomes one of the most important rookies on the roster.
Smack’s Mindset: Fix Mistakes, Don’t Ride the Rollercoaster
Smack’s calm demeanor isn’t an act. It’s how he’s wired — and how he survived the pressure cooker of SEC football at Florida.
“Practice is where you’re supposed to mess up,” he said. “It’s where you’re supposed to fix things.”
He focuses on daily goals, self‑evaluation, and emotional control, traits he credits to his late start in football and guidance from former NFL kicker Matt Prater.
“Just look at myself in the mirror and see what I can do better every single day,” Smack said.
The Transition Isn’t Easy — But Progress Is Clear
Smack is still adjusting to the NFL ball, which he described as longer with a bigger sweet spot. He prefers smooth, heavily inflated balls that cut through the wind — another detail he’s still dialing in.
The operation isn’t perfect yet. The pressure isn’t real yet. And going 7‑of‑8 in June doesn’t guarantee anything in September. But it’s a step. A meaningful one.
Packers Need Smack Ready by Week 1 — and Tuesday Was a Good Sign
The Packers open the season on Sept. 13 in Minnesota, where the pressure will be nothing like a June practice. Smack knows that. The team knows that. And that’s why his bounce‑back mattered. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t spiral. He corrected.
Asked if he ever lets himself ride the emotional highs and lows, Smack smiled.
“If anything,” he said, “it’s going to be after we win a game.”
