Kicking has been a problem for the Green Bay Packers ever since Mason Crosby left. Now, they hope rookie Trey Smack can quickly catch up to the other kickers in the NFC North.
The Packers moved on from veteran Brandon McManus this offseason, who had a disastrous 2025 campaign. McManus ranked 43rd of 43 kickers in FanSided's Kick Value Added metric, which just about says it all.
How does the Packers' kicking situation compare to their NFC North rivals? Unfortunately, it's becoming a little concerning in Green Bay.
All four NFC North kickers in 2026, ranked
4. Trey Smack, Green Bay Packers
Trey Smack might not even be the best kicker in Green Bay, let alone the NFC North. Lucas Havrisik may have something to say about who is kicking for the Packers before Week 1 arrives.
It's far too early to call the Packers' decision to draft Smack a mistake, but he has to prove that trading away two Day 3 picks was worth it. He didn't make a great start to the offseason, producing wildly inconsistent results on the practice field during OTAs and minicamp. And that's, in theory, when the pressure is at its lowest. It's only going to crank up when real football returns.
Perhaps the biggest concern is how Smack struggled with the swirling winds. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that the rookie kicker missed four of his nine kicks when facing a "strong crosswind" during a practice on June 2. He can expect more where that came from as fall arrives in Green Bay. Smack has some time to adjust, but he needs to perform well this summer to hold on to the job.
3. Jake Bates, Detroit Lions
Lions fans had high hopes for Jake Bates after an impressive rookie season, but he well and truly hit a sophomore slump in 2025. They need their kicker to get back on track to become a contender again this fall.
Bates missed seven field goals (converting only 79.4 percent) and two extra-point tries in 2025. His field goal percentage ranked 32nd among 39 kickers in the NFL. He crucially had a 45-yard attempt blocked in a three-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions have lofty ambitions this season, but they'll need more consistency from Bates.
2. Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears
Cairo Santos' numbers don't jump off the page, but he was vital to the Bears' success last season. The veteran kicker converted only 83.3 percent of his field goals, missing five, which ranked 26th in the NFL, but he stepped up when his team needed him.
As Packers fans know, kicking in windy and frozen conditions late in the year is a daunting challenge. That's where Santos played at his best.
In the Bears' wild-card round win over the Packers, Santos converted all three field goals, including a 51-yarder, and both extra-point tries. Compare that to Brandon McManus, who cost Green Bay seven points after missing field goals from 55 and 44 yards, and an extra-point try.
Santos stepped up again in the divisional round a week later, connecting on a 48-yard field goal and both of his extra-point attempts.
Was it a perfect season? No, but the Bears knew their veteran would make kicks when they needed them the most.
1. Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
Will Reichard is the best kicker in the NFC North, and it's not even close. He is coming off an outstanding second season in Minnesota, earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Not only did Reichard convert 94.3 percent of his field goals and 100 percent of his extra-point tries, but his only two misses came from 53 and 51 yards. Don't take that as a reason not to trust him from long distance. Reichard converted 11 of 13 kicks from 50-plus yards, including a franchise-record 62-yarder.
We know Reichard has a strong leg to hit from distance, but how about consistency? On kicks 49 yards or closer, the second-year kicker converted all 22 of his attempts. On top of that, he took his perfect extra-point tally to 69, having never missed a PAT since entering the league in 2024.
Santos provides reliability in Chicago. Bates needs to get back on track in Detroit but has proven he can do it. Green Bay's kicking situation is in absolute chaos. But it's no such problem in Minnesota, as Reichard became one of the league's most consistent and reliable kickers last season.
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