Packers Release McManus, Likely To Go With Smack In 2026

Former Florida standout Trey Smack will likely be the Green Bay Packers' kicker next season.

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So much for that kicking “competition.”

The Green Bay Packers released kicker Brandon McManus on Friday, just 13 days after drafting kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round.

Smack and McManus were expected to battle for the kicking job in training camp. Now, barring a dreadful performance by Smack this summer, he will almost certainly be the Packers’ kicker when the 2026 campaign begins.

Smack was the only kicker taken in this year’s draft after a highly successful career at Florida.

During Smack’s last three years with the Gators, he made 53 of 64 field goals (82.8%) and 100 of 101 extra points. He was also 10 of 13 from beyond 50 yards (76.9%) and 24 of 32 from outside of 40 yards (75.0%).

Smack’s career long was 56 yards.

Packers special teams coach Cam Achord said earlier this week there was a lot he liked about Smack.

“Straight ball, accuracy,” Achord said. “His ball doesn't move a lot. For me, I don't need a guy … that can kick 65 yards personally. I want the guy who's going to put it through consistently from 58, 55 (yards) because … we're playing in Green Bay.

“We're going to play in elements and you're not going to need the 60-yard ball all the time. You're going to need the 45-yard ball with a 14-mile-an-hour crosswind, so his ball not moving and stuff like that was definitely a big part for me.”

One year ago, it looked like McManus would be Green Bay’s kicker for the foreseeable future. McManus made 20-of-21 field goals and all 30 of his extra points during the 2024 regular season (95.2%), then signed a three-year, $15.3 million deal.

But McManus had a rough 2025.

Of kickers with at least 20 field goal attempts last year, McManus ranked a disappointing 24th in field goal percentage (80.0%, 24-of-30). McManus then missed both of his field goals attempts and an extra point during the Packers’ playoff meltdown vs. that ended with a 31-27 loss.