GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers waived their franchise record holder for longest field goal made in a game.
The Packers moved on from Lucas Havrisik on the eve of training camp, announcing the move July 28. Havrisik kicked in only three games last season, but among his four field goals was a franchise-long 61 yarder last October in Arizona. Havrisik, initially signed as an injury replacement for veteran Brandon McManus, made all four of his field goal attempts. He was 7 of 9 on extra points, both misses coming on a blustery day against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Havrisik spent the back end of last season on the team’s practice squad after McManus returned to full-time kicking duties.
The Packers signed Lenny Krieg earlier July 28. Krieg will get a chance to compete with Trey Smack, a rookie drafted in the sixth round this spring.
In tandem, the transactions continue a revolving door at the Packers’ kicker position, not just this offseason but since the team moved on from franchise scoring leader Mason Crosby in 2022. The Packers have had four kickers in the past three seasons, McManus and Havrisik joining Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson. None of those kickers remain on the roster as general manager Brian Gutekunst continues searching for the next long-term solution.
“You’ve got to keep trying, right?” Gutekunst said after drafting Smack.
The Packers initially let McManus go during the spring. Havrisik was considered potential competition with Smack before Krieg took his place. Krieg, who will turn 24 years old during camp, was born in Berlin, Germany. Despite never kicking in the NFL, he has spent time on the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets rosters.
Krieg could have been added to the Packers’ roster through the NFL’s International Player Pathway. That he was signed to replace Havrisik indicates he is something more than a camp leg, potentially getting a legitimate evaluation.
The Packers released England native edge rusher Dante Barnett, who was their International Player Pathway holder, and add tight end Thomas Yassmin. A native of Sydney, Australia, Yassmin originally signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Utah in 2024. He spent last season on the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Green Bay Packers waive Lucas Havrisik, sign Lenny Krieg at kicker
Reporting by Ryan Wood and Tom Silverstein, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Wood and Tom Silverstein, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
