Controversial Packers rookie is shutting up haters in preseason

After the Green Bay Packers traded up to select kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the rookie is silencing his doubters and proving why the team believed he was worth the move. Through two preseason games, Smack has remained perfect on field-goal attempts while providing Green Bay with impressive distance from deep.

Smack followed a solid preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers with another flawless outing in the Packers 33-13 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday. He converted all four of his field-goal attempts against Denver, connecting from 51, 59, 43 and 38 yards. He also made all three of his extra-point attempts.

That performance moved Smack to 7-for-7 on field-goal attempts in preseason games. He has made three field goals from beyond 50 yards, including the 51- and 59-yard attempts vesus the Broncos and a 58-yarder against Pittsburgh. Smack actually has eight successful kicks through the uprights, but one of his Steelers attempt was erased because of a defensive penalty.

The results are particularly remarkable because Smack has experienced some inconsistency during Packers practices. He has missed nine kicks on the Ray Nitschke practice field this summer.

Green Bay has been searching for consistency at kicker since deciding not to re-sign Mason Crosby in 2023, and Smack has provided exactly that through his first two preseason appearances.

Smack’s ability to connect from long range has also added another dimension to his early evaluation. None of his preseason field goals has come with the game on the line, meaning his performance in a late-game pressure situation remains untested.

Still, after two games, the competition for the Packers’ starting kicker job appears far less uncertain. Smack’s perfect 7-for-7 field-goal record and three successful attempts from beyond 50 yards have made a compelling early case for the rookie.

The post Controversial Packers rookie is shutting up haters in preseason appeared first on ClutchPoints.