Achord Backs Smack Despite Repeated Misses
Packers special teams coordinator Cam Achord says he remains confident in rookie kicker Trey Smack after another missed attempt.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Cam Achord voiced confidence in rookie kicker Trey Smack on Tuesday, Nov. 3, despite Smack missing his eighth kick of the season in the Packers' 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29. Smack has converted 11 of 16 field-goal attempts through eight games.
Why it matters
Kicking reliability can decide close games, and Smack's misses put added pressure on special teams in a season where Green Bay's margins have been thin. Achord's public backing signals the team's plan to keep Smack in the lineup rather than seek a change.
Smack has connected on 68.8% of his field-goal attempts (11 of 16) and 16 of 19 extra points this season. He also missed two field goals in the Packers' 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 25.
The players
Cam Achord
Cam Achord is the Packers' special teams coordinator and previously spent four years as the New England Patriots' special teams coach under Bill Belichick.
Trey Smack
Trey Smack is a rookie kicker for the Green Bay Packers who has struggled with consistency this season after a strong college kicking career.
The details
Smack hit the left upright on an extra-point attempt against Carolina in the first quarter, and Packers returner Coleman Owen fumbled the opening kickoff, allowing the Panthers to start near midfield. Achord, who previously served as the New England Patriots' special teams coach for four years under Bill Belichick, spoke about Smack's development.
Timeline
Oct. 24: Coleman Owen was promoted to the 53-man roster.
Oct. 25: Smack missed two field goals in a loss to Detroit.
Oct. 29: Smack's eighth miss of the season came in a 27-19 win over Carolina.
Nov. 3: Achord expressed confidence in Smack in Tuesday remarks.
Nov. 8: Green Bay visits New England at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Season Trajectory
Achord's time with the Patriots places Green Bay's special teams approach within a lineage tied to Belichick's New England system. Smack's inconsistency arrives as the Packers prepare for a Nov. 8 trip to New England, where kicking reliability could carry added weight.
Smack's miss rate matters for fantasy managers and bettors tracking Green Bay's scoring, since each missed field goal or extra point shifts point totals. Fans watching the Nov. 8 game in New England will see whether the special teams unit steadies after the recent misses.
The takeaway
Consistency from a kicker often comes down to repetition under pressure, and Achord's public patience suggests Green Bay is betting that Smack's technique will settle as the season progresses.
What happens next
The Packers visit the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 4:25 p.m. ET, the next scheduled test for Smack and the special teams unit.
Further reading
Follow more Packers football coverage for ongoing updates on the team's kicking situation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
