Packers bring back familiar face to take advantage of one of the NFL’s most valuable roster flexibilities
Green Bay reunites with German kicker Lenny Krieg to smartly exploit the NFL’s International Pathway Program rule.
The Green Bay Packers are reuniting with a familiar face to take advantage of an NFL roster flexible rule. General manager Brian Gutekunst is re-signing German kicker Lenny Krieg to the practice squad via the International Pathway Program, a move that exploits the program’s extra roster spot to create a backup plan at the kicker position without sacrificing a standard practice squad slot.
The International Pathway Program allows teams to carry a 17th player on the practice squad, provided that player qualifies as an international prospect. By placing Krieg in that designated spot, the Packers effectively add kicker depth at zero cost in terms of salary cap to the rest of their roster construction.
Packers find a way to add depth where it matters
Green Bay is clearly intrigued by what rookie sixth-round pick Trey Smack has shown so far. Smack converted nine of his nine kicks during the preseason, and the Packers appear confident in his ability to handle the job. But it’s always useful to have a contingency plan, and no team would spend a standard roster spot on a second kicker. The International Pathway Program slot solves that problem, without even spending a regular PS slot.
Krieg is a German-born player who started playing American football in local and continental leagues across Europe before entering the NFL in 2025 through the International Pathway Program. He spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets, though only as a training camp player. He has not appeared in a regular season game during his NFL career.
A brief reunion revisited
This is not the first time Krieg has been in the Packers’ building. He signed with Green Bay in late July. But the original plan was not for him to occupy the International Pathway Program exemption spot on the 90-man roster, because the 91st player during training camp was Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin.
The Packers had to release Krieg after only three days because they needed to sign a second long snapper in Cal Adomitis after Matthew Orzech got injured to start training camp. The roster math simply didn’t work at that point.
Now, with the practice squad taking shape and Yassmin on injured reserve with a knee injury, the Packers were able to bring Krieg back and use the designated international slot.
Practice squad construction so far
Green Bay has signed 15 players to the practice squad through the first two days of roster building. On Monday, 13 players who spent training camp with the Packers were added. On Tuesday, the Packers also signed quarterback Kedon Slovis, who came over from the Arizona Cardinals. Krieg’s addition fills the International Pathway Program slot.
The Packers still have two open practice squad spots, which they should fill over the next few days as the team continues to evaluate available players across the league.
