There was one constant complaint coming from Packers fans after the 2025 season came to an abrupt end in Chicago: "Why is Brandon McManus still on the team?" After a poor performance in the playoff game against the Bears, there was a very slim margin of fans who didn't want the kicker's head on a platter. Even though it came later than they had hoped, McManus was finally released this past Friday, much to the delight of a large percentage of the green and gold faithful. 

This release likely came as a direct result of the drafting of kicker Trey Smack of Florida about two weeks earlier. Smack was reportedly impressive in rookie camp following the draft, and that was apparently all the Packers needed to deliver the pink slip to the veteran, McManus. 

It was at that point that, despite the fact that many wanted McManus gone before the Packers even had a chance at drafting Smack, many couldn't believe the team wasn't having McManus at least compete with Smack in training camp. All at once came the comments that "apparently the Packers aren't giving Smack any competition," and that was labeled as a bad idea. 

But wait a second, do they not realize the Packers still have another kicker on the roster? Did they forget about Lucas Havrisik?

That's right, we're talking about THAT Lucas Havrisik. You know, the kicker who holds the record for the longest field goal kick in franchise history. The one who drilled a 61-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals on October 19, 2025, when Brandon McManus was out with an injury. Apparently, many in the Packers media realm have forgotten that Havrisik is still on the roster. And honestly, I did too. 

While McManus dealt with a quad injury last season, Lucas Havrisik took over for three games and wasn't too terrible. He went 4/4 for field goals with a long of that record-breaking 61-yarder, but went 7/9 in extra points, missing two in his final start, with one terrible blooper of a wide-left point-after in New York. At one point, some Packers fans didn't care if Brandon McManus ever came back. That's how good Havrisik was initially. 

After McManus returned, Havrisik was released by the Packers, only to return to the practice squad. At the end of the season, Havrisik signed a futures deal with the team and remains on the roster. 

Does Havrisik have a shot at winning the job?

When you go into training camp with two kickers, obviously, there's a sense that there's going to be a kicking competition. The legitimacy of that competition, though, likely can be called into question. Throughout Mason Crosby's long and successful Packers career, there were a few kickers brought in to training camp that likely never had a shot at actually winning the job. They were just there to light a competitive fire underneath Crosby in hopes that he'll have a much better season than the one that came before. 

That is likely what can be guessed for Lucas Havrisik entering training camp behind Trey Smack. The Packers wouldn't have traded up in the 6th round to draft Smack if the chances of Havrisik taking over kicking duties were anything above unlikely. The intention as of this time is likely to use Havrisik to light a competitive fire under Trey Smack, so they get the best they can out of the rookie heading into the new season. 

What's in it for Havrisik then? While the knowledge that he is unlikely to win the kicking competition unless Trey Smack completely nose-dives is likely a little deflating, Havrisik will know that any team with possible questions at kicker will be keeping eyes on his status. Should he provide Trey Smack with a good competition, a kicker-needy team may be willing to offer a late-round draft pick to secure his services, or will be waiting to claim him off the waiver wire just before the season starts. And if not, the Packers may still keep him on the practice squad in case Smack struggles. 

While some are right that Trey Smack isn't quite receiving the level of competition they thought he would in training camp, he's not facing just himself. Lucas Havrisik will be right behind him to remind him that in the NFL, there's always someone waiting to take your job.