Packers Release Veteran Kicker McManus

The Green Bay Packers released veteran kicker Brandon McManus on Friday, ending any anticipated competition at the position shortly after selecting Florida kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of last month's NFL Draft.

Green Bay traded its two seventh-round picks, Nos. 236 and 255, to the Seattle Seahawks to move up and take Smack at No. 216 overall. General Manager Brian Gutekunst had indicated in February that the team sought competition at kicker, a plan reinforced by the draft move. "One thing that I've always felt good about is he knows how to kick in weather," Gutekunst said of McManus at the NFL scouting combine, adding that the push for competition stemmed from a desire for depth rather than the veteran's performance.

McManus, 34, joined the Packers in Week 7 of the 2024 season amid a series of changes at the position, which included undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson and others. He delivered stability that year, converting 20 of 21 field goals over 11 games. Ahead of the 2025 season, the Packers signed him to a three-year, $15.3 million extension with $5 million guaranteed, including a $1 million roster bonus paid in March. In 2025, McManus appeared in 14 games, making...