Rumors Swirl Packers Could Move on From Starter After Lions Loss

The Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions suffered vastly different outcomes in their Sunday matchup, with the Lions emerging victorious by a slim 20-17 margin. This stark contrast in performance has led to speculation about the future of Packers kicker Trey Smack's position. During the game, Smack missed two crucial field goal attempts, including one that would have given the Packers a three-point lead with just 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

In contrast, the Lions' kicker Jake Bates successfully made both of his field goals, sealing the win with a game-winning 22-yard attempt as time expired.

Former NFL general manager and CBS NFL analyst Ran Carthon expressed his belief that the Packers will likely hold tryouts for kickers, potentially giving open competition to Smack's role. Carthon noted that Monday typically marks a travel day for players attending tryouts, with Tuesday being the primary day for the league's tryouts. Given the uncertainty surrounding Smack's performance, Carthon expects to see kickers tested in Green Bay during this period.

However, it seems that head coach Matt LaFleur may not be as intent on making a swift decision as initially anticipated. Following the game, LaFleur stated that he believes Smack is a capable kicker. This statement suggests that a rapid change in the team's kicking strategy may not occur as quickly as some analysts predict. Yet, Smack's recent struggles, including missing two field goals in a previous game against the Chicago Bears, raise questions about how long LaFleur will remain patient in waiting for consistency from his rookie kicker.

The uncertainty surrounding Smack's future has prompted speculation about potential changes in the Packers' kicking strategy. As the team prepares for a critical matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, it will be interesting to monitor whether LaFleur considers alternative kicking options.