2026 Draft Rd 6 #35 K Trey Smack Florida

[Zartan]

Well we got a new kicker.

 

[OldSchool101]

This pick may have single handed wiped out more points on a draft contest in our 55 year contest history.

Nice job Brian!

 

[Zartan]

This pick may have single handed wiped out more points on a draft contest in our 55 year contest history.

Nice job Brian!

Well McManus time is now on borrowed time. I'm kinda shocked we opted to draft a kicker instead of being in an UDFA.

 

[milani]

Well McManus time is now on borrowed time. I'm kinda shocked we opted to draft a kicker instead of being in an UDFA.

Shows us how serious Gute is about this. Kicking in 2023-24-25 had its ups and downs in different ways and at different times. Just want to end this merry go round and have a decent kicker. Does not have to be an Aubrey or a Vinateri. Except for one season Crosby was good.

 

[milani]

Well McManus time is now on borrowed time. I'm kinda shocked we opted to draft a kicker instead of being in an UDFA.

I wonder how this will be approached in camp. In 2023 we went with the kid. Hurt us, especially against Frisco. In 2024 we were trying out veterans and went with another kid before McManus. In 2025 McManus got hurt and was up and down and more down. Lucas helped win 2 games for us. And now we have a new ST coach to go with it.

 

[OldSchool101]

went 10/13 past 50+ 77% breaking school record

Can sub as a Punter in emergency

Pedestrian+ 83% Kicker but Big Leg accuracy.

Automatic 99% from close range
100/101 XPM

So what I’m seeing is a guy that might match McManus in real time, but at a fraction of the cost across 4 years. Plus a chance to develop him and get a little better output as he’s a young player.

 

[milani]

went 10/13 past 50+ 77% breaking school record

Can sub as a Punter in emergency

Pedestrian+ 83% Kicker but Big Leg accuracy.

Automatic 99% from close range
100/101 XPM

So what I’m seeing is a guy that might match McManus but at a fraction of the cost across 4 years.

Now if we can snap the ball, hold the ball and block, the ball may split the uprights.

 

[OldSchool101]

A pre June trade would save about $1.9Mil or add a $1Mil to our Cap after paying Smack

As post June trade frees up $3.6Mil
A post June Cut frees up $2.6Mil off the 2026 Cap. Most times that’s a shell game though by pushing Dead $ across seasons. At min we’d save a smooth $1Mil net moving on from Brandon unless we find a trade partner (swap a draft round etc)

 

[Half Empty]

Shows us how serious Gute is about this. Kicking in 2023-24-25 had its ups and downs in different ways and at different times. Just want to end this merry go round and have a decent kicker. Does not have to be an Aubrey or a Vinateri. Except for one season Crosby was good.

Mason was a 6th round pick

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Well McManus time is now on borrowed time. I'm kinda shocked we opted to draft a kicker instead of being in an UDFA.

You're SURE he's not Anders Carlsson v. 2?

 

[gopkrs]

We have quite awhile now to take this seriously and make a good decision. A new ST coach and I gotta believe that's a good thing. So we have time to learn about him. I think it is more than just who makes the most out 10 like the sports writers like to slam down our throats all preseason long. If we think he can be solid; I think we go with him. But he's got to be already solid. Mason was solid in college and pretty much stayed that way. Though I don't know about the big leg label here. Seems like people are kicking 60 yarders these days.

 

[OldSchool101]

We have quite awhile now to take this seriously and make a good decision. A new ST coach and I gotta believe that's a good thing. So we have time to learn about him. I think it is more than just who makes the most out 10 like the sports writers like to slam down our throats all preseason long. If we think he can be solid; I think we go with him. But he's got to be already solid. Mason was solid in college and pretty much stayed that way. Though I don't know about the big leg label here. Seems like people are kicking 60 yarders these days.

Seems to me this kid is young and still growing but looks to be as good as McManus in real time. Possibly a better long ball.
Plus He’s only a Junior so if he works out he’ll be here a long time.

If my math is correct he’ll save $1mil on cap also. Maybe more if we can find a trade partner for McManus

 

[milani]

Mason was a 6th round pick

That was TT. After 3 sub par kicking seasons this is urgently in need of addressing. At least before Crosby we had Longwell for 9 of 10 previous seasons and Chris Jacke before him. So consistency and continuity are a must.

 

[PikeBadger]

This pick may have single handed wiped out more points on a draft contest in our 55 year contest history.

Nice job Brian!

The contest thread has been unlocked

 

[DoURant]

I think we cut McManus with a June 1st designation, and have Havrisik and Smack compete

 

[Sanguine camper]

Smack would really need to be erratic in the pre-season to lose the job. In that case, he'd go to the practice squad and the Packers would stick with the veteran kicker for another season.

I would expect McManus to be in the mix. It's a big risk to cut a veteran kicker before camp opens and then have only unproven kickers in camp.

 

[milani]

Smack would really need to be erratic in the pre-season to lose the job. In that case, he'd go to the practice squad and the Packers would stick with the veteran kicker for another season.

I would expect McManus to be in the mix. It's a big risk to cut a veteran kicker before camp opens and then have only unproven kickers in camp.

And we know from experience or lack thereof.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Shows us how serious Gute is about this. Kicking in 2023-24-25 had its ups and downs in different ways and at different times. Just want to end this merry go round and have a decent kicker. Does not have to be an Aubrey or a Vinateri. Except for one season Crosby was good.

Crosby hit some 70 yarders in practice his rookie year or something. And McCarthy gave him the opportunity to kick one to finish the half, instead of a bomb or knee. May have been pre-season, but maybe not. I can't remember exact. But I do remember he shanked it so bad , I don't think he got it inside the Touchdown pylons. Lol.

Never got another long shot after that.

 

[lambeaulambo]

the old addage never draft a kicker...other needs? Another o lineman wouldnt have been out of the question. I dont like this pick.

 

[Schultz]

Another OL plus either a TE-LB-RB-WR since it took 2 7th rounders to move up for him. Time will tell.

 

[Pugger]

Shows us how serious Gute is about this. Kicking in 2023-24-25 had its ups and downs in different ways and at different times. Just want to end this merry go round and have a decent kicker. Does not have to be an Aubrey or a Vinateri. Except for one season Crosby was good.

I'm glad Gute is serious about this. How many games did we lose because of kicking inconsistantsies?

 

[milani]

I'm glad Gute is serious about this. How many games did we lose because of kicking inconsistantsies?

Enough. And in postseason.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Enough. And in postseason.

Yeah when I think about STs as a whole, I can't pinpoint a game last season where STs made a substantial difference in a win.

Without a good returner, and an iffy K, field position could have been a lot better, and more points would have been scored, respectively.

On the other hand, kicking was easily the biggest reason the Bears won in the playoffs. I know, there's more to it than that, but if McManus makes ANY of the three kicks he missed, that game could have been won, or at least go to OT. But any way we cut it, losing after a three-possession first half lead is inexcusable. WTF!

And we can't overlook the inability of the team, as a whole, to finish games. Gluten was emphatic about this at the end of the season. In the playoff loss, the Packers went into halftime up three possessions (21-3). What more can a fan ask for?

Then the Bears ran up 25 points in Q4. The Packers still have to address the nebulous "finishing games" thing this upcoming season. That's really a mind set. Do the players believe they can win and are they willing to keep giving their all through four quarters? That's an individual thing, but it's also collective. MLF is primarily responsible for instilling that attitude in the team.

 

[milani]

Yeah when I think about STs as a whole, I can't pinpoint a game last season where STs made a substantial difference in a win.

Without a good returner, and an iffy K, field position could have been a lot better, and more points would have been scored, respectively.

On the other hand, kicking was easily the biggest reason the Bears won in the playoffs. I know, there's more to it than that, but if McManus makes ANY of the three kicks he missed, that game could have been won.

Can't overlook the inability of the team, as a whole, to finish games. In the playoff loss, the Packers went into halftime up three possessions (21-3). What more can a fan ask for?

Then the Bears ran up 25 points in Q4. The Packers still have to address the nebulous "finishing games" this upcoming season. That's really a mind set. Do the players believe they can win and are they willing to keep giving their all through four quarters? That's an individual thing, but it's also collective. MLF is primarily responsible for instilling that attitude in the team.

The one game, although nothing spectacular, was the 27-18 win over Flacco and the Bengals. Lucas was starting for McManus. He made his PATs and kicked 2 FGs. His last one was crucial because it gave the Packers a 9 point lead late in the 4th quarter. Flacco was adjusting to his new team and the Bengals moved the ball well in the 2nd half. Giving us a 2 score lead took the pressure off and we stopped them on their last drive.

 

[lambeaulambo]

The whole short bus special teams is a mystery...an enigma really... lol I hope this drafted kicker is another Vinetieri, or.... another shankopotamus Rex