The Green Bay Packers fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-9, in their preseason opener on August 13, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium, as rookie kicker Trey Smack delivered standout performances and backups faced challenges. The game, which marked the start of the NFL preseason, saw the Packers‘ starters gain valuable experience, while second-unit players struggled against a resilient Steelers defense.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack became the Packers’ star of the night, hitting four field goals, including two 58-yarders, despite the team’s 28-9 defeat. Head Coach Matt LaFleur praised Smack’s performance, calling it incredible and emphasizing his potential to stack on it. Smack’s first 58-yarder came after a personal foul by the Steelers, giving the Packers a fresh set of downs, and he later converted another 58-yard kick in the second half. To hit really two (from 58) in one game is pretty incredible, LaFleur said, highlighting Smack’s composure under pressure. Smack also made a 37-yarder early in the game and a 38-yarder in the third quarter.
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The Packers’ starters, including quarterback Jordan Love, saw limited action but gained valuable experience. The first-team defense recorded a sack from linebacker Zaire Franklin, but the second unit struggled, allowing the Steelers to capitalize on defensive lapses. It’s always good to just be in the game, be in that game environment, Love said, noting the benefits of facing a new team. However, the defensive breakdowns with the backup groups started late in the first half, with the Steelers scoring four touchdowns on long drives, including a 74-yard reception by Kaden Wetjen that exposed defensive breakdowns.
The Packers’ second-unit defense faced significant challenges, with the Steelers’ backups, including rookie quarterback Drew Allar, capitalizing on defensive lapses. Allar scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. Steelers QBs Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar combined to complete 27-of-33 passes for 333 yards. We’ve got to go back and look at it, LaFleur said, acknowledging the need to analyze film for breakdowns. The Packers’ backup quarterbacks, including undrafted rookie Kyron Drones, also struggled, with Drones sacked three times in six plays late in the game. The second unit’s goal-line stand featured a TD-saving open-field tackle by rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse, a near-sack by defensive tackle Warren Brinson that led to S Murvin Kenion III preventing a TD catch in the back of the end zone with a timely hit, and a tackle by S Mark Perry at the goal line on a short fourth-and-goal reception.
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Third-string quarterback Kyle McCord impressed during his time on the field, completing 12-of-16 passes for 102 yards in the second and third quarters. His most notable sequence came during a two-minute drill, where he led the offense into field-goal range with four consecutive completions, including a crucial spike to set up Smack’s second 58-yard kick. Great poise, LaFleur said of McCord’s performance, adding that his execution wasn’t only by him, by all 11 out there. McCord’s ability to adapt under pressure earned praise from teammates, including Love, who noted, He did some really good things and it’s all about building up from here.
The Packers emerged relatively unscathed, with only offensive lineman Darian Kinnard and defensive lineman Anthony Campbell exiting the game. No injury updates were provided. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ new head coach, Mike McCarthy, replaced Mike Tomlin after 19 years with the team.
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Aaron Rodgers, in his final season, did not play for the Steelers, despite appearing for warm-ups in street clothes. Rodgers said he was bummed the preseason game wasn’t at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Packers’ live updates were provided by the Journal Sentinel, highlighting the significance of the game for rookies like Smack, who had an uneven start to his training camp after being selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. The job is Smack’s after the Packers moved on from their kickers from last season, and his performance against the Steelers could determine his role in the regular season.
Both teams will use these exhibitions to evaluate depth and prepare for the regular season, with the Packers focusing on solidifying their kicking game and defensive consistency. The Steelers’ schedule for the rest of the season includes Preseason Week 2 against the Jets, Preseason Week 3 at the Buffalo Bills, and Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.
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