Rumors Swirl Packers Could Move on From Starter After Lions Loss

The difference in execution on special teams between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions was quite pronounced, playing a significant factor in the Lions coming away with a 20-17 victory.

As a result, rumors have started to emerge that the job security of Packers kicker Trey Smack may very well be in major jeopardy.

Smack's up and down rookie season in the NFL continued on Sunday in a major way, missing two field goal attempts in the game, one of which would have given the Packers a three point lead with 3:25 to go in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Lions and kicker Jake Bates were able to convert when it mattered. Bates would make both of his field goal attempts in the game, the final kick being a game-winning 22-yard kick as time expired.

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Given how significant of a role Smack's missed kicks ultimately played, former NFL GM turned CBS NFL analyst Ran Carthon shared how he believes that the Packers will likely hold tryouts for kickers to at least have an open competition for Smack's role as the Packers kicker.

"Tomorrow is Monday, right? That is a typical travel day for guys coming in for tryouts," said Carthon. "Tuesday is the day where the league holds a lot of their tryouts. I'm expecting that you're going to see kickers being tried out in Green Bay. Because I think that a lot of that indecision to go for it is because they didn't trust the kicker. And then when they gave him an opportunity to tie up the game, they missed the field goal. I'm pretty sure Matt LaFleur is probably at his breaking point right now."

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Interestingly, LaFleur's postgame comments actually indicate something different than what LaFleur is suggesting may happen. Following the game, LaFleur said that he "knows Trey Smack is a guy that can do it." So a move may not happen as quickly as Carthon is assuming it may.

Still, this performance from Smack obviously begs the questions as to how long LaFleur will be patient and wait on consistency from his rookie kicker.

Notably, this is not the lone game that Smack has been shaky, missing two field goals in the team's Week 5 win over the Chicago Bears.

Now that Smack's issues have finally come back to bite the Packers, it will certainly be interesting to monitor whether Matt LaFleur does look into other kicking options at some point this season.

The Packers will look to regroup and prepare for a quick turnaround in Week 8, as they are set to face off against the Carolina Panthers on "Thursday Night Football."