Unexpected roster competition could force the Packers to part ways with veteran
Green Bay seemed to trust veteran long snapper Matthew Orzech, but circumstances have changed with Cal Adomitis and Trey Smack developing some rapport.
The Green Bay Packers may have an unexpected roster decision brewing at one of the most overlooked positions on the field. Long snapper Matthew Orzech, a 31-year-old veteran who has held the job since 2023 and won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, is dealing with a calf injury that has sidelined him throughout training camp. Orzech landed on the physically unable to perform list, and while he’s potentially getting healthy, the Packers may have already found his replacement.
Cal Adomitis has seized the opportunity
Green Bay signed veteran long snapper Cal Adomitis to fill in while Orzech recovers, and Adomitis has done more than hold the fort. The 28-year-old spent three years with the Cincinnati Bengals, then played parts of last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers before hitting the open market. He’s performed at a reasonable level throughout training camp and the preseason, and he’s done something arguably more important than simply snapping well. He’s built a connection with the Packers’ kicking operation.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack has been impressive in both preseason games, converting all of his field goals and extra points, including three kicks from beyond 50 yards. Adomitis has been his long snapper for every one of those attempts, with punter Daniel Whelan serving as the holder. That trio has developed chemistry over the course of camp and the preseason, and the results speak for themselves.
The kicking operation needs continuity
Kickers are creatures of habit. The timing between the snap, the hold, and the kick is a finely tuned operation, and disrupting it carries real risk. Smack has played at a high level with Adomitis and Whelan as his battery mates. Bringing Orzech back and asking the rookie kicker to re-establish that rhythm with a different long snapper could easily backfire, especially closer to the regular season.
Orzech is a fine long snapper, but he hasn’t been a top-tier player at the position throughout his career. If Adomitis has performed at a comparable level while also building continuity with Smack, the argument for keeping the incumbent weakens considerably.
The cap difference between the two players is essentially negligible. Orzech is making $1.315 million in 2026, with similar contracts of $1.36 million in 2027 and $1.4 million in 2028. There are no guarantees remaining on his deal, which makes a separation clean. Adomitis, meanwhile, is on a veteran minimum contract with a $1.215 million base salary and a cap hit of just $1.075 million because of the veteran benefit. That comparison tilts slightly in Adomitis’ favor, but the savings alone wouldn’t drive this decision.
The real factor is the kicking operation. If the Packers want to keep Smack comfortable and performing at the level he’s shown through the preseason, maintaining the long snapper he’s built a connection with makes the most sense.
