Countdown to camp: Packers' kicking competition takes center stage

Packers
28 Jul 2026, 19:30 GMT+10

Punter Daniel Whelan has given himself tough act to follow

Mike Spofford

"Countdown to camp" is a position-by-position overview of the Packers' roster heading into training camp. The series concludes with the specialists.

GREEN BAY The contestants already have been narrowed to two, but that won't make this summer's kicking competition any less compelling.

It'll pit rookieTrey Smackagainst the Packers' 2025 part-timer (and team record-holder)Lucas Havrisik, and may the best kicker win.

When GM Brian Gutekunst traded both of his seventh-round selections to select Florida's Smack with the final sixth-round pick in April's draft, it appeared the Packers were headed for a three-way battle.

But two weeks later, the decision was made to release veteran Brandon McManus, who had rescued the Packers' dire kicking situation midway through 2024. But he then dealt with an injury in 2025 and ultimately faltered in the playoffs, missing three kicks worth seven points in the four-point loss at Chicago.

So it's down to Smack (6-1, 188), whoset Floridas career record for made field goals of 50-plus yardswith 10 in 13 attempts, and Havrisik (6-2, 185), who made the longest field goal in Packers history while filling in for the injured McManus last season, a 61-yarder on the final play of the first half at Arizona.

The Packers' other two specialists who form the battery of the kicking operation, long snapperMatt Orzechand punterDaniel Whelan, are entrenched veterans.

Both are embarking on their fourth seasons in Green Bay, with Orzech having entered the league back in 2019 and Whelan coming off not only his best season but the best season ever by a Packers punter.

In 2025, Whelan set the franchise records for both gross punting average (51.7) and net (43.9), shattering the former mark of Corey Bojorquez's by more than five yards. That 51.7-yard average also led the league, the first time a Green Bay punter has earned the NFL's top spot in that category since the 1970 league merger.

Whelan didn't earn any All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades for his efforts, butthose seem to be headed his way in due time, no matter how tough an act he's given himself to follow.

As for the rest of the Packers' special-teams units, there's a new leader at the forefront in coordinator Cam Achord, who replaces Rich Bisaccia.

Achordcut his teeth in NFL coaching circlesunder New England's Bill Belichick, assisting with the Patriots' special teams for two years before coordinating them for four. Achord spent the past two seasons assisting with the Giants' special teams.

The coverage units return a robust foundation personnel-wise. Six different players recorded double-digit tackles on special teams a year ago, and five of them are backChris Brooks,Ty'Ron Hopper,Isaiah McDuffie,Nick NiemannandEvan Williams. The only departure was Zayne Anderson from a group that did a solid job limiting explosive returns by opponents before some breakdowns with Anderson and fellow flierBo Meltonsidelined by injuries proved costly in the playoffs.

In the return game, the Packers struggled a year ago on both kickoffs and punts, which prompted the signing of former Chiefs and 49ers receiverSkyy Mooreas a free agent.

Moore, who sat out during spring workouts due to injury,ranked in the leagues top 10 on both types of returns, finishing sixth on kickoffs with a 27.5-yard average and seventh on punts with an 11.6-yard average. For comparison's sake, Green Bay's averages in those categories last year were 25.2 and 5.6, respectively.