Packers Retain Kicker Trey Smack After Difficult Loss
Green Bay keeps its rookie kicker despite misses in a 20-17 defeat.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should a team continue to support a struggling player after a poor performance?
Head coach Matt LaFleur has decided to retain rookie kicker Trey Smack following the Green Bay Packers 20-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. Smack struggled significantly during the game, missing two critical field goal attempts.
Why it matters
The decision to keep Smack signals organizational support for the rookie despite his ongoing struggles throughout the season. His performance in this loss directly impacted the narrow final margin, drawing increased scrutiny to the team's kicking game.
Trey Smack missed a 26-yard field goal and had a 35-yard attempt blocked by DJ Wonnum with 3:21 remaining. He has now missed seven kicks this season, including two extra points and three field goals from the 40-49 yard range.
The players
Matt LaFleur
He is the head coach of the Green Bay Packers responsible for managing team personnel and strategic decisions.
Trey Smack
He is a rookie kicker currently playing for the Green Bay Packers.
DJ Wonnum
He is an active NFL defensive player who successfully blocked a field goal attempt in the game.
The details
Smack became the first NFL kicker since 2019 to miss two field goals from 35 yards or less in a single game. His misses occurred during a high-stakes divisional matchup where every point proved decisive in the three-point defeat.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: Trey Smack missed two kicks during the Packers game.
2019: Mike Nugent missed two field goals in a game.
2013: Shaun Suisham missed two field goals in a loss.
Season Trajectory
Smack joins a rare and unfortunate statistical category by recording two misses from inside 35 yards, matching the frequency of such failures seen in the 2019 precedent. This performance instability creates a significant concern for the Packers as they evaluate their path toward potential playoff contention.
The Packers remain in a tight divisional race where special teams consistency is essential for maintaining field position and scoring margins. Fantasy owners and team followers should monitor the kicking depth chart closely following the seven total misses logged by the rookie this year.
The takeaway
Rookie kickers often face intense pressure when their performance directly correlates with narrow point differentials in divisional games. Consistency in practice is the primary tool for players looking to overcome a mid-season slump and secure their roster position.
Further reading
For more on the current team roster, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Sports.
Live Poll
Should a team continue to support a struggling player after a poor performance?
