In recent years, the Green Bay Packers have had some very good rosters. However, they have also had their fair share of issues. One of the most consistent issues has come at the kicker position.
Heading into the 2026 NFL season, the Packers felt that they had found their quarterback of the future. After trading up to select former Florida standout kicker Trey Smack in this year’s NFL Draft, he appeared to be the likely starter to begin the year.
Unfortunately, the early returns have not been great for Smack.
It’s possible that Green Bay will decide to stick with Smack and give the rookie kicker a chance to begin the year as a starter. However, there are some who think the Packers should get ahead of the situation and make another kicker move.
Packers Insider Urges Team to Make Aggressive Kicker Move
A longtime Green Bay insider, Bill Huber, has suggested that the Packers look to sign veteran kicker Daniel Carlson. Of course, he is the brother of former Green Bay kicker Anders Carlson.
Here is what Huber had to say about the idea of signing Carlson. He shared some impressive statics about the free agent kicker.
“Daniel Carlson – the older brother of former Packers kicker Anders Carlson – is the best kicker available in free agency,” Huber wrote.
“He was a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and a first-team All-Pro in 2022. After three consecutive seasons of making better than 90 percent of his field-goal attempts, he fell to 86.7 percent in 2023, 85.0 percent in 2024 and 81.5 percent in 2025.”
Should the Packers choose to make a move at kicker, Carlson would make a lot of sense. At the very least, they could sign Carlson and have him compete with Smack for the job.
Green Bay Can’t Afford to Be Derailed By a Kicker
There have been many big games won and lost by kickers over the years. Last season, Green Bay had a prime example of one of those games.
In the Wild Card playoffs against the Chicago Bears, the Packers held a 21-3 lead. They appeared likely to pull off a big win on the road over their bitter rivals. Unfortunately, kicker Brandon McManus chose that game to have a horrible performance.
McManus ended up missing both of his field goal attempt and one of his four extra points. He missed out on seven points in what ended up being a 31-27 loss.
Matt LaFleur and Green Bay cannot afford to have a kicker derail the season again.
If there is any serious doubt about Smack in the Packers’ minds, they should consider a move. Carlson would be well worth signing if that scenario becomes an interest.
Green Bay Packers Urged to Make Aggressive Kicker Decision