--- title: "Packers Rely on Rookie Trey Smack to Revive Special-Teams Unit" description: "The Packers' decision to cut Brandon McManus and pair Mason Crosby with rookie Trey Smack is a high-stakes gamble to solve their kicking woes." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/after-releasing-brandon-mcmanus-packers-hope-sixth-round-ro-moxbqxae published: 2026-05-08T19:09:45+00:00 updated: 2026-05-08T19:47:00.213+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # Packers Rely on Rookie Trey Smack to Revive Special-Teams Unit > The Packers' decision to cut Brandon McManus and pair Mason Crosby with rookie Trey Smack is a high-stakes gamble to solve their kicking woes. The Green Bay Packers have cut veteran kicker Brandon McManus and are betting on sixth-round rookie Trey Smack to partner with longtime veteran Mason Crosby. The move aims to solve the team’s inconsistent kicking game as they look ahead to the upcoming season. McManus, a reliable kicker, was released after struggling with field-goal percentages. The Packers are now pinning their hopes on Smack, who was trained under former NFL star Matt Stover. Stover, a Hall-of-Fame kicker, mentored Smack during his development. McManus' departure leaves a void in the team's kicking unit, and Smack's pairing with Crosby will be crucial in determining the team's special-teams performance. The Packers' decision to cut McManus and pair Crosby with Smack is a high-stakes gamble. Kicking reliability is a linchpin for the Packers’ playoff aspirations, and a fresh talent with proven mentorship could stabilize field-goal percentages and give the offense a consistent edge. The move could either revive the team's special-teams unit or expose deeper roster flaws. The move also raises questions about the team's scouting process. The Packers drafted Smack in the sixth round, a relatively late pick for a kicker. Smack's potential as a game-changer for the special-teams unit was likely known to the team, but whether they adequately prepared him for the NFL level remains to be seen. The team's decision to pair Smack with Crosby, a veteran kicker, suggests that they are trying to balance experience with youth. Furthermore, the move could have implications for the team's salary cap. McManus was a relatively high-paid kicker, and his release could free up cap space for the team. However, the team will need to balance the savings with the potential costs of signing Smack to a long-term contract. The Packers will need to carefully manage their cap space to ensure that they have the resources to compete with other top teams in the league. In addition to the on-field implications, the decision to cut McManus and pair Smack with Crosby also reflects the team's commitment to developing young talent. By giving Smack a chance to prove himself, the Packers are demonstrating their willingness to invest in the future and take calculated risks to achieve success. This approach could pay off in the long run, as Smack's development could lead to a more consistent and reliable kicking game. The Packers' special-teams unit has been a weakness in recent years, and the team's decision to address this issue through the draft and free agency is a positive step. With Smack and Crosby on board, the team has a good mix of youth and experience, which could lead to improved performance on the field. However, the team will need to continue to evaluate and adjust their roster to ensure that they have the right balance of talent and experience to compete at a high level. ## Why this matters Kicking reliability is a linchpin for the Packers’ playoff aspirations. A fresh talent with proven mentorship could stabilize field-goal percentages and give the offense a consistent edge. The Packers' decision to cut McManus and pair Crosby with Smack is a high-stakes gamble that could either revive their special-teams unit or expose deeper roster flaws. ## Frequently asked ### Why did the Packers cut Brandon McManus? The Packers cut McManus after he struggled with field-goal percentages. McManus was a reliable kicker, but his performance was inconsistent, and the team decided to move on. ### Who is Trey Smack? Trey Smack is a sixth-round rookie kicker who was trained under former NFL star Matt Stover. Smack has the potential to be a game-changer for the Packers' special-teams unit. ### What is the significance of Matt Stover's mentorship? Matt Stover's mentorship is significant because he is a Hall-of-Fame kicker who has a proven track record of developing talented kickers. Smack's training under Stover gives him an edge in terms of experience and technique. ### What are the implications of the Packers' decision to cut McManus? The implications of the Packers' decision to cut McManus are that they are placing their trust in rookie Trey Smack to fill the void left by McManus. This is a high-stakes gamble that could either pay off or expose deeper roster flaws. ### What are the potential salary cap implications of the move? The move could free up salary cap space for the Packers, but they will need to balance the savings with the potential costs of signing Smack to a long-term contract. The team will need to carefully manage their cap space to ensure that they have the resources to compete with other top teams in the league. ### How will the team's scouting process be evaluated? The team's scouting process will be evaluated based on whether Smack is able to live up to his potential as a game-changer for the special-teams unit. If Smack succeeds, it will be a testament to the team's scouting abilities. If he fails, it could raise questions about the team's ability to identify and develop talent. ## Sources & Citations - [After releasing Brandon McManus, Packers hope sixth-round rookie with Mason Crosby ties solves kicking problem]( https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/packers-kicker-trey-smack-next-mason-crosby/ ) — CBS Sports NFL (2026-05-08) --- Cite: Packers Rely on Rookie Trey Smack to Revive Special-Teams Unit. Sportopod, 2026-05-08. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/after-releasing-brandon-mcmanus-packers-hope-sixth-round-ro-moxbqxae