Packers urged by ESPN to replace Trey Smack with trade for Colts kicker

Packers urged by ESPN to replace Trey Smack with trade for Colts kicker originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The 2026 NFL trade deadline is a chance for the Green Bay Packers to improve their team for a playoff run in a very tight NFC North division.For this Packers squad, there are some needs worth exploring, like offensive line and running back help. But one area worth exploring seriously is the kicker position with Trey Smack's struggles.ESPN's Seth Walder is urging the Packers to swing a trade to replace Smack with maybe the only kicker who might be on the move this season: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader.Packers urged to trade for Spencer Shrader as Trey Smack's replacement"Who should they target? Colts K Spencer Shrader," Walder writes. "The biggest issue for Green Bay this season has been its offensive line. But the most easily fixed problem might be at kicker, with sixth-round rookie Trey Smack struggling."A mid-season kicker trade is not something that happens very often, especially considering the Packers just spent a sixth-round pick to draft Smack.But this season, Smack is 11 of 16 on field goals, good for a bleak 68.8 field goal percentage. Maybe most worrying is that he is 16 of 19 on extra points, which is not good at all.The Colts are likely to entertain trade offers on a lot of players, and Shrader might be one such player available for trade despite the rarity of kicker trades.MORE: Inside Harrison Butker's missed field goals: How Chiefs kicker situation became one of NFL's worstConsidering he's in a contract year, Shrader might be ready for the taking. The Packers should pounce if that's the case, as he'd be a huge upgrade over Smack.This season, Shrader has made 19 of 21 field goals for a quality 90.5 percentage. He is also 14 of 15 on extra points, which is significantly better than Smack's mark.If he has another rough outing in Week 9, especially if Smack misses a kick or two that leads to a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, then a trade would make even more sense.Walder is urging the Packers to trade for Shrader over an offensive lineman, as adding Shrader would be an instant and significant upgrade, and it would likely not cost them a lot to make such a move either.More NFL news:NFL insiders reveal four landing spots for Colts’ Jonathan TaylorJoe Burrow joins rare NFL history with six touchdowns despite three interceptionsJayden Daniels snaps unbelievable drought with Commanders' win over EaglesWhy it's time for Colts to move on from Shane Steichen and Daniel JonesJerry Jones defends Brian Schottenheimer after Cowboys collapse vs. Cardinals