GREEN BAY, Wis. — It’s going to be an interesting August for the Packers. Training camp practices and preseason games will be fascinating because of the competition for the kicking job.
Brandon McManus opened the door for this when the veteran had an uneven 2025 season. Missing two field goals and an extra point in the playoff loss at Chicago should bring accountability. It has, though the Packers haven’t given up on him.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have paid McManus a million dollar bonus in the offseason.
By trading their two seventh round picks to take Florida kicker Trey Smack at the end of the sixth round Saturday, the Packers sent the message that the kicker competition is on. Brandon McManus will have to earn the job.
Let’s not forget about Lucas Havrisik, who set a Packers record by kicking a 61-yard field goal last season. The Packers still have him as an option in case he proves to be the best in the August competition
You could say the Packers know the importance of the kicker on a team they hope to make a run to the Super Bowl. To that I say—great. Nothing should be guaranteed. Competition is good for everyone.