General manager Brian Gutekunst quietly positioned the Packers to take advantage of one valuable NFL roster loophole
The Packers signed German kicker Lenny Krieg and Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin to maximize the potential of the International Pathway Program.
The Green Bay Packers signed German kicker Lenny Krieg and Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin, a sequence of moves that could give general manager Brian Gutekunst significant roster flexibility heading into the 2026 season. Krieg, a product of the International Pathway Program with experience on the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets, joined the Packers after the team released kicker Lucas Havrisik. The signing sets up a kicker competition with rookie Trey Smack and opens a creative path to roster construction that Green Bay has used before.
On the Packers’ roster, though, the player designated with the IPP exemption is Yassmin.
How the International Pathway Program factors in
The Packers had edge defender Dante Barnett, a British player, occupying their International Pathway Program roster exemption, but he was also released. Now, Yassmin sits as the 91st man on the roster and could land on the practice squad’s 17th spot, which doesn’t count against the 16-man practice squad limit.
Krieg, for now, counts on a regular 90-man roster spot. He will compete with rookie kicker Trey Smack throughout camp. But the real advantage comes after that competition plays out.
Even if the Packers decide to keep Smack as the starting kicker on the 53-man roster, they can designate Krieg as the International Pathway Program player later, if Yassmin gets waived. That would mean shifting the exemption to Krieg, placing a backup kicker on the practice squad without using one of the 16 available spots.
This isn’t a new concept for Green Bay. The Packers have kept a kicker on the International Pathway Program exemption in the past, so the front office understands the mechanics and benefits of the approach. In 2024, Australian kicker Alex Hale spent the season on the practice squad. The end result could be Smack handling kicking duties on the 53-man roster, while Krieg develops on the practice squad as a cost-free insurance policy.
Smart usage of resources for the Packers
Roster construction in the NFL comes down to margins. Every spot carries value, and finding ways to add depth without spending resources is impactful. By signing Krieg, Gutekunst gave himself optionality at a position where depth is rarely prioritized but always appreciated when needed.