Trending Now - Packers Part Ways With Kicker Brandon Mcmanus Following Draft

WHO:

Daily Mail Sports - Brandon McManus was released just 12 months after signing a three-year, $15 million contract with the Packers.

packers.com - The Green Bay Packers organization.

packers.com - General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the release.

Heavy NFL - Kicker Brandon McManus.

Heavy NFL - Kicker Trey Smack, drafted by the Packers.

WHAT:

The New York Times - General Manager Brian Gutekunst stated that the desire for more competition at the kicker position was not due to McManus's struggles, saying, "He made 32 straight kicks up until that game."

The New York Times - McManus finished the year 24-of-30 on field goals, with 13 consecutive makes to end the regular season.

The New York Times - McManus missed a 38-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 wild-card round and missed two field goals (44 and 55 yards) and an extra point during January's wild-card collapse against the Chicago Bears.

The New York Times - The Packers traded up in the draft, sending both of their seventh-round picks (Nos. 236 and 255) to the Seattle Seahawks to select kicker Trey Smack with the final pick of the sixth round (No. 216).

The New York Times - McManus was signed to a three-year, $15.3 million extension before the 2025 season, which included $5 million guaranteed and a $1 million roster bonus paid earlier this offseason.

The New York Times - Trey Smack made 82.8 percent of his field-goal attempts over three years for the Gators (53-of-64) and hit 10 of 13 from 50-plus yards in his career.

The New York Times - New special teams coordinator Cam Achord described Smack's appeal, stating, "Straight ball, accuracy. His ball doesn’t move a lot."

packers.com - McManus also appeared in two postseason contests for Green Bay.

packers.com - The Packers released kicker Brandon McManus.

packers.com - McManus played in 25 regular-season games for the Packers.

packers.com - McManus connected on 44 of 51 field goals (86.3%).

packers.com - McManus made 62 of 63 extra points (98.4%).

Heavy NFL - The release followed the selection of kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

WHERE:

packers.com - Green Bay, Wisconsin (home of the Packers).

WHEN:

Heavy NFL - The decision to release McManus was made on May 8.

WHY:

NY Post - The decision to release McManus was influenced by his performance in the playoffs, described as "awful."

NY Post - The release was influenced by McManus's performance, described as having "swung and missed too many times last season."

HOW:

The New York Times - The Packers signed McManus in Week 7 of the 2024 season after an experiment with undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson failed.

The New York Times - Lucas Havrisik was on the verge of becoming a substitute teacher last year when McManus went down, and he made all four field-goal attempts over three games, including a franchise-record 61-yarder in Arizona.

packers.com - The release was executed under a post-June 1 designation.

(UPDATED May 9, 2026 17:13 UTC)

The Green Bay Packers are looking to increase competition at the kicker position, but General Manager Brian Gutekunst clarified that this decision is not a reflection of Brandon McManus's performance, as he made 32 straight kicks leading up to a recent game. McManus finished the season with an impressive record of 24-of-30 on field goals, including 13 consecutive makes to close out the regular season, despite some struggles in the playoffs where he missed crucial kicks against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. The Packers initially signed McManus in Week 7 of the 2024 season after an earlier attempt with undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson did not pan out.

(UPDATED May 9, 2026 05:49 UTC)

The Green Bay Packers have made a significant move in the draft by trading up to select kicker Trey Smack with the final pick of the sixth round, sending both of their seventh-round picks to the Seattle Seahawks in the process. Smack, who boasts an impressive field-goal percentage of 82.8 over three years with the Gators, also made 10 of 13 attempts from beyond 50 yards, earning praise from new special teams coordinator Cam Achord for his accuracy. Meanwhile, Lucas Havrisik, who stepped in as a kicker last year while McManus was injured, made all four of his field-goal attempts during that stretch, including a franchise-record 61-yarder in Arizona.

(UPDATED May 8, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Brandon McManus has been released by the Packers just a year after signing a three-year, $15 million contract. During his time with Green Bay, he played in two postseason games, but his performance in those playoffs was described as "awful." This disappointing showing ultimately influenced the team's decision to let him go.

(UPDATED May 8, 2026 21:21 UTC)

The Green Bay Packers have released kicker Brandon McManus, who played in 25 regular-season games for the team, connecting on 44 of 51 field goals and making 62 of 63 extra points. This decision follows the selection of kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft and was influenced by concerns over McManus's performance last season. The release was executed under a post-June 1 designation, marking a significant change for the Packers' special teams.