Packers coach Matt LaFleur asked new kicker Trey Smack if he can kick in cold weather, a question he posed twice since the draft. Smack's response remains undisclosed.
Key points
Matt LaFleur asked Trey Smack if he can kick in cold weather
Trey Smack was drafted in the sixth round
Rookie minicamp started on May 1
LaFleur has asked Smack the question twice
Smack's response to the question is undisclosed
Green Bay PackersTrey Smack
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur had the same question for Florida kicker Trey Smack that many others did when the team picked him in the sixth round.
“I’ve asked him twice now,” LaFleur said after the team’s practice on the first day of rookie minicamp May 1. “I asked him when we drafted him, ‘Can you kick in the cold? And he had a good response for me.”
What was it?
“I can’t say,” LaFleur replied.
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack warms up during rookie minicamp.
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack warms up during rookie minicamp.
LaFleur said there will be a transition to the NFL for Smack and not all of it has to do with the weather. He said first-year special-teams coach Cam Achord will have some specific things he’ll want out of Smack, some of which will be different than what was expected of him in college.
“I'm sure Cam is going to have a bunch of stuff for him to go back [home] and work on, but it's a little bit different in regards to the kicking playbook,” LaFleur said. “Schematically, you’ve just got to put the ball in a certain spot.
“So it is a little bit different in that regard. But a lot of it's going to be just, how to take care of your leg, how to take care of your body and training and all that. But probably Cam would have a better answer for you than me.”
Here are some other subjects LaFleur touched on:
Full support for decision to exercise Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst made the decision to exercise the fifth-year option for fourth-year edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and LaFleur was completely on board.
Q&A
What did Matt LaFleur ask Trey Smack about kicking?
Matt LaFleur asked Trey Smack if he can kick in cold weather.
Why did the Packers draft Trey Smack?
The Packers drafted Trey Smack in the sixth round to strengthen their kicking game.
When did Trey Smack participate in rookie minicamp?
Trey Smack participated in rookie minicamp on May 1.
What was Trey Smack's response to LaFleur's question?
Trey Smack's response to LaFleur's question about kicking in the cold has not been disclosed.
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LaFleur said Van Ness had to deal with considerable injury obstacles last year but that he’s confident he’s back on track and will be vital to the Packers defense this year.
“I mean, he's an important piece, man, and I know he's been kind of snake bit with some of the injury stuff,” LaFleur said. “But we feel like he's in a pretty good spot right now. I know he is.
“I've been watching him rehab and do all that, and he looks, he looks great, and I know he's in a good head space, so I'm excited for him.”
Van Ness suffered a foot injury in Week 5 against Cincinnati, missed four games, tried to return against Minnesota, aggravated the injury and missed two more games. He finished with 19 tackles and 1½ sacks in nine games.
Coaches are trying to refine offense not change it
LaFleur said at the NFL owners meetings that he wanted to strip down the offense and build it back up from the ground floor.
But he didn’t mean build a different foundation.
Instead, he wants everyone to see the detail and the why and how that goes into every play, so that the coaches and players understand what they’re trying to get done.
“I think you try to do that every year, right?” he said. “You don't assume anything. You go back to the foundation and making sure that guys are on all the little details. Because I do think that's typically what separates good from great in this league, is your ability to know the why behind every call and just the little details that tend to separate people.”
LaFleur said there isn’t anything specific he wants to change about how things are done, but is open to adding things that come up when designing game plans.
“Football is constantly evolving, and it's funny because, just like even last season, there were some things that we started to incorporate that we hadn't done in a couple years,” he said. “So, I think it's just the natural evolution of football, and you got to continue to try to find ways to adapt.”
The Green Bay Packers made six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft with Brandon Cisse of the South Carolina Gamecocks their first pick in the second round.
Scroll through this gallery for info on the players part of the Packers' 2026 draft class.
Brandon Cisse, cornerback, South Carolina, second round round (52nd overall)
Chris McClellan, defensive tackle, Missouri, third round (77th overall)
Chris McClellan played the final two years of his college career at Missouri after two years at Florida.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge rusher, Penn State, fourth round (120th overall)
Dani Dennis-Sutton spent his entire four-year college career at Penn State.
Here are the Green Bay Packers 2026 draft picks in photos
Trey Smack spent all four years of his college career at Florida.
Process of bringing rookies along has changed
When it comes to rookie minicamp, the players aren’t being maxed out on the field.
LaFleur said he gave up trying to do that awhile ago and mostly wants the players to get comfortable with the way things are done and the environment they’ll be in when they return in a week to join the veterans.
“It’s definitely changed,” LaFleur said. “Adapt or die, right? So, you got to evolve. And I think when we first got here, I'll never forget we were putting all the guys through drills, agility drills, and I think we had a couple guys throw up. So, we've definitely changed our approach in that regard.
“And then I know in other years when we've had some tryout guys, some of these guys got hurt, and so, you know, it just you're always evolving.”
LaFleur said the process of getting rookies incorporated in the system is complex given how much they must learn schematically. But they also have to know how to get from one place to another on time, what practice tempo is like, when to report to the training room, how to structure their day and how to study like a professional.
“The juice isn't worth the squeeze in regards to putting people in position, maybe in harm's way,” LaFleur said of having intense workouts. “These guys don't even know how to practice yet. They're learning the playbook. There's a lot going on. I mean, they're drinking water out of a fire hose basically all day.
“They had to listen to a bunch of different people talk to them. It's painstaking, but it's definitely a necessary part of the process. But I thought it was good. These guys are getting a lot of information. They're learning the people. So, I just think it's more an onboarding process that hopefully relieves a little bit of anxiety when they come back here, and all the vets are here.”
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
2 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
3 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
4 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
5 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
6 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
7 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
8 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
9 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
10 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
11 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
12 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
13 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
14 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
15 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
16 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
17 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
18 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
19 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
20 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
21 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
22 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
23 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
LaFleur keeping expectations in check with new quarterbacks
Though he spends a lot of time with quarterbacks and has high standards for how quickly they pick up his offense, LaFleur said he’s taking it slow with rookie Kyron Drones and first-year pro Kyle McCord.
Drones is an undrafted free agent from Virginia Tech who has a strong arm but rushed for 1,798 yards and 20 touchdowns over three seasons.
“I love the physical skill set,” LaFleur said. “I think, you get him acclimated and to watch and see how he progresses. He definitely has the physical skills to play the position. A lot of is just how fast can he pick up our stuff? And the processing speed when he gets out on the field.”
McCord was signed as a reserves/free agent in January and is new to the system after spending all of last season on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
“Today was the first live exposure that I've seen him throw,” LaFleur said. “So, I think it's too early to tell, but I mean, he's showing up every day with great attitude and putting his best foot forward.”
