The Green Bay Packers have bolstered their roster by signing veteran kicker Brandon McManus, a move aimed at enhancing their special teams ahead of an important game against the Houston Texans. McManus, known for his reliability and powerful kicking ability, is expected to bring both consistency and leadership to the team. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s top kickers, thanks to his accuracy and experience in high-pressure situations.
This signing is seen as a strategic effort by the Packers to strengthen their kicking game, especially as they prepare for the crucial matchup with Houston. McManus’ extensive experience, including performing in postseason games, positions him as a valuable addition to Green Bay’s special teams unit. His ability to connect on long-range field goals and handle pressure situations makes him a key player for the Packers as they seek to secure a victory in the upcoming game.
McManus joins the Packers’ active roster at a pivotal moment, and there is growing optimism among fans that his arrival will have an immediate impact on the team’s overall performance. As Green Bay prepares for the Texans, much attention will be focused on how McManus integrates into the special teams unit and contributes to the Packers’ game plan.
The Green Bay Packers have added veteran kicker Brandon McManus to their roster, marking the team’s seventh kicker since the end of last season. McManus officially signed a one-year deal on Wednesday and is expected to take the field in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. This signing follows a season where the Packers have struggled to find consistency in their kicking game, with rookie Brayden Narveson being the latest casualty of those efforts.
Narveson, who was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans in August, was released by the Packers in a corresponding roster move. His brief tenure saw him miss a league-high five field goal attempts in six games, including a crucial 44-yard miss in last Sunday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Despite being the only kicker used by Green Bay this season, Narveson’s struggles prompted the team to make a change.
The Packers’ kicking carousel started after they moved on from long-time kicker Mason Crosby, their career scoring leader, following the 2022 season. Since then, they have had a revolving door of kickers, including Greg Joseph, Alex Hale, James Turner, and Jack Podlesny, all of whom were on the roster at different points. Hale remains on the practice squad, but none have managed to secure the role full-time.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur initially seemed noncommittal about making a change at the kicker position earlier this week. When asked on Monday about the possibility of switching kickers, LaFleur said, “I wouldn’t say that right now, no,” though he added that the team would “take it day by day.” By Tuesday, however, the team had worked out McManus, signaling their intent to bring in the veteran.
McManus, 33, has had a steady career as a reliable kicker in the NFL. He spent last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, making 30 of 37 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra-point tries. Earlier this year, he signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders, but he was released in June following legal allegations.
The allegations stemmed from an incident in September 2023 when two flight attendants working on a chartered flight for the Jaguars accused McManus of sexual assault during a trip to London. However, the NFL announced on September 30 that it had found insufficient evidence to determine that McManus violated the league’s personal conduct policy. The league did indicate that if new evidence emerged, it would be considered.
Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the two women, criticized the NFL’s investigation, noting that his clients had not been interviewed by the league as part of their inquiry. It remains unclear whether any further conversations have taken place between the parties involved since the initial investigation.
Despite these off-field issues, McManus brings a wealth of experience to the Packers. Over his nine-year career with the Denver Broncos, McManus earned a reputation for his accuracy and consistency. He has converted 81.4% of his field goal attempts, and his experience includes postseason play, which could be valuable for the Packers as they push through the remainder of the season. His ability to handle high-pressure situations is one of the key reasons Green Bay is hoping he can stabilize their kicking game.
The Packers have been seeking a dependable kicker since parting ways with Mason Crosby, who was known for his stability and success over a long career with the team. In Crosby’s final season with Green Bay, he made 86.2% of his field goals, and his departure left a significant void. Last season’s kicker, Anders Carlson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, struggled throughout the year, missing 13 kicks, the most of any kicker in the league.
Now, with McManus on board, the Packers are hoping to finally bring an end to their kicking woes. The upcoming game against the Houston Texans will provide an opportunity to see how McManus performs in his debut with the team. As Green Bay looks to solidify its special teams, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if McManus can bring the consistency and reliability that the team has been searching for all season.
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