Training Camp Tidbits: Week One

Coming off a slew of injuries in 2025, including a partially torn patellar tendon that was suffered in the fateful game against Denver, Bako-Bewele’s health with be a crucial part of the Packers’ possible success this season.

One of their biggest issues this past year was the play of the offensive line, and a lot of that can be attributed to the revolving door of players involved due to injury.

Getting the anchor of the group back should make a significant impact, and if Bako-Bewele can play at his standard, we may see a return to form from the group as a whole.

According to the former Wake Forest product, it’s foot on the gas.

When asked if week one was an option by Packers reporter Rob Demovsky, he made his intentions clear.

”It’s not an option, I’m playing week one.”

Along with probable the return of Tucker Kraft, Packers fans have a lot to look forward to.

The Next 87?

The Packers have had an undrafted rookie make the initial 53 for twenty-one straight seasons, and early in camp, there’s already a specific player making his case for the spot.

J. Michael Sturdivant of Florida has had a promising first few practices, generating a hype that feels similar to Romeo Doubs’ rookie camp in 2022.

Doubs, who was the last wearer of number eighty-seven for the Packers, turned out better than alright, but Sturdivant will have a much larger hill to climb.

Wide receiver will likely be one of the most difficult positions to crack on the roster this year, and with the addition of Skyy Moore to return kicks, nearly all of the Packers’ traditional spots are taken.

That means that Sturdivant will likely have to prove himself as an option on special teams.

Although he’s had a few drops, those were nearly non-existent in his college days, so it seems like lot that they’ll get straightened out.

So far, he has a leg up on any of the other UDFA options.

The Kicking Conundrum

A lot of great news has come out of Packers’ camp so far, but one area of concern has only continued to simmer, and that’s the team’s kicking situation.

Early last week, Green Bay announced the signing of international product Lenny Kreig, as well as the waiving of franchise record holder Lucas Havrisik.

Those moves seemed to indicate a continuing kicking competition, and, at least to me, a lack of confidence in what we’ve seen from seventh rounder Trey Smack so far.

Just days after signing however, Kreig was released, leaving Smack as the only kicker in camp.

That seems to exemplify the opposite, but I’m finding it hard to be optimistic.

Smack was out-kicked by Havrisik in rookie mini camp—at least in the portions that we’re aware of—and his performance in the Packer’s latest practices haven’t overcome that.

The Florida product was 3/5 in his first live period, including misses from 35 and 45.

One was attributed to a low snap, and the environment was windy in general, but so far, I haven’t seen anything that suggests that Smack can be a long-term option.

In this league, kicks from thirty and forty yards need to be almost automatic, and that’s where the draftee has struggled this far.

I’m not out on the field watching them kick obviously, but in my opinion, Lucas Havrisik was far and away the Packers’ best option, and I’m sad to see him go.

His sixty-one yard record breaking kick from last season was nothing to scoff at, and if Smack is struggling from mid-range, who’s to say a kick of that magnitude is possible for him?

I’m trying my best to avoid passing judgement, but with the Packers’ kicking woes these past few years, I’m not sure I can handle much more disappointment.

Mason Crosby’s tenure looks more and more under appreciated every single day.