The acquisition places veteran Brandon McManus on notice after a turbulent 2025 season, including multiple early misses and a quad injury, followed by a late-season resurgence and a costly postseason miss against Chicago. Despite signing a three-year, $15.3 million extension, McManus could face a dead-cap impact if released, making Smack’s development and performance crucial to Green Bay’s 2026 kicking plans. Smack’s potential to win the starting job hinges on his camp performance, though McManus’ experience in high-pressure games remains a significant hurdle.
Key insights:
– Packers trading up for Smack signals a strategic shift to bolster special teams depth and add competition at kicker.
– Smack’s college accomplishments suggest a high-upside, especially on long field goals, while McManus brings proven experience and reliability but recent instability.
– The 2026 kicker competition will center on Smack’s ability to translate college success to the NFL, with McManus still a formidable benchmark if he rebounds.
