The Green Bay Packers might hold on to rookie kicker Trey Smack for now. After a series of costly mistakes, though, the team should at least explore options on the veteran market. The start of Smack’s NFL career has been rough, and the Packers’ kicker problem is already costing them games once again.

Through seven games, Smack has made 11 of 16 field goal attempts, a 68.8% conversion rate. He has also missed two of his 15 extra points, an 86.7% rate. He did hit a 59-yarder in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Smack has been obviously inconsistent, especially on shorter attempts, which is unusual for an NFL kicker.

The numbers on short kicks stand out. Smack had two field goal attempts of 35 yards or less missed or blocked against the Detroit Lions. According to ESPN Research, the rest of the NFL combined has had one this year, a Cairo Santos attempt for the Chicago Bears that the Vikings blocked.

Packers kicker struggles cost them in Detroit

The latest and most glaring example came against the Lions. Smack missed two short field goals, and those misses were the main reason Green Bay lost 20-17 at Ford Field. After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gave his rookie kicker a vote of confidence.

“You never want to go through something like this, but Trey’s a guy who’s proven he can do it, and I know he can,” LaFleur said. “We’ve got to wipe this one clean, move on, and hopefully be a little bit better.”

Still, the Packers know how rough a kicker investment can be. In 2023, rookie Anders Carlson struggled, and his misses ultimately cost Green Bay in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The team then found an answer with veteran Brandon McManus, who also became a problem in last season’s playoffs.

That history led the Packers to trade two seventh-round picks to move up and select Smack in the sixth round. Drafting kickers is not a good process, though, and Green Bay is seeing the results of that so far.

Smack will still be the kicker Thursday against the Carolina Panthers. If he keeps missing, however, the Packers will have to consider their alternatives.

Practice squad options for Green Bay

The internal option is Lenny Krieg, a German kicker on the Packers’ practice squad through the International Pathway Program. He spent time with the Atlanta Falcons last season and the New York Jets earlier this year, but he has never played in a regular season game. If Green Bay moves on from Smack, it would probably prefer a more experienced option.

Three intriguing kickers sit on other teams’ practice squads. The downside is that the Packers would have to keep a signed practice squad player on the active roster for at least three weeks. Then again, moving on from Smack would likely be more of a long-term decision anyway.

Zane Gonzalez, 31, is on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. He played nine games for the Falcons last season, converting 19 of 22 field goals (86.4%) and 94.4% of his extra points. He has also kicked for the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. Gonzalez would probably be the safest choice, even if his ceiling isn’t high.

Jake Moody, now on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, is a different case. The interesting aspect is how similar his pre-draft profile was to Smack’s. Moody was a highly-touted prospect, and the 49ers selected him in the third round in 2023. After a tough start to his career, he also spent time with the Bears and Commanders. Moody played well in six games for Washington last season, converting 10 of 11 field goals and 10 of 11 extra points.

Charlie Smyth, another International Pathway Program product, is on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. Born in Northern Ireland, Smyth converted 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 of his extra points for New Orleans last season. At 25 years old, he is also a younger option, which matters if Green Bay wants another potential long-term answer.

Veteran free agents still available

Two veteran kickers remain unsigned. Graham Gano, 39, spent the last six seasons with the New York Giants. An injury limited him to five games last season, but he made nine of 10 field goals and all nine of his extra points.

Matt Prater is the oldest option at 42, so he would only be a short-term move. Still, he played 15 games for the Buffalo Bills last season, making 18 field goals and 46 of 49 extra points. Prater may not be in his prime anymore, but he was reliable for Buffalo.

None of these kickers is a perfect solution. If Smack’s misses continue, though, the Packers have enough experienced alternatives to make a change without waiting for the offseason.