Trey Smack has gone from concern to comfort in a hurry for the Packers.
A rocky start to Green Bay’s training camp had people wondering whether the team might need to bring in a veteran to challenge the rookie kicker. Smack was missing consistently early, and the questions around the position were loud enough to feel real. But after the first two preseason games, that worry has basically disappeared.
Smack has hit every one of his preseason attempts, and three of them came from long range. Only two of his kicks from 55-plus yards would have counted, since a penalty erased one of the makes, but the overall picture is hard to ignore: the rookie has been steady, accurate and showing off serious leg strength.
That matters for a Packers team that already had a frustrating season from veteran Brandon McManus, a year that ended with kicking playing a role in the team’s postseason exit. Smack has brought a very different feel to the job, and he did it under pressure right away.
The first preseason game carried plenty of scrutiny because of how camp had gone. The Packers had seen the struggles up close, and one bad outing could have pushed the franchise toward making a move. Instead, Smack looked right at home, drilling a long-distance kick and adding another that didn’t count because of the penalty.
There were no signs of nerves. Through his first two preseason games, he has been perfect.
And that’s why the Packers have every reason to feel better about the position now. Kickers change games, whether fans want to admit it or not, and Smack is already giving Green Bay something it badly needed: trust.
The Florida product is still in his rookie season, but the early evidence suggests the Packers may have found the right answer. With his range, Green Bay can start thinking about scoring territory once it gets just past midfield. That kind of reliability changes how a team can play, and it’s added a real spark as the regular season gets closer.
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