The Green Bay Packers signed veteran Kicker Brandon McManus to a one year deal on Tuesday. Meanwhile, they have released rookie Brayden Narveson after a lack luster performance thus far this season.
So, here I am, not even 2 months removed from a write up on how much hope Brayden was bringing to the squad.
The move is not without a level of controversy as well. Here’s a closer look at the Packers new Special Teams addition.
Brandon McManus Early Years
Brandon Tyler McManus was born on July 25th, 1991 to parents Dennis & Susan McManus. McManus grew up in Hatfield, PA (a suburb of Philadelphia) and even as a kid, he was focussed on sports. He was quoted in an article at Temple University as saying:
“My parents always said when I was younger, for Christmas I always wanted a ball of any kind so I could just throw it around the house.
I played football for my middle school where I was quarterback, safety and also kicked and punted. I stopped playing soccer in ninth grade when the varsity team called me up to play football. Even though I was still technically in middle school.”
Brandon’s parents were also very involved in the local community. Teaching him how important it was even at a young age to give back.
Northern Penn High School
McManus is local legend at his alma mater. He spent all four years playing varsity kicker for Northern Penn’s football Knights. In 2007 he even broke the school record with a 55-yard field goal. Brandon McManus also doubled as punter for the team. Here’s a breakdown of his high school career accolades via Temple University’s: Owlsports.com
“Selected for the 2009 Big 33 All-Star Game … four-year letterwinner at placekicker and punter for coach Dick Beck (Temple football 1987-90) at North Penn HS … First-team All-Suburban One Conference and first-team Times-Herald All-Area as a senior … made a perfect 78-of-78 PATs in 2008 … 68 of 80 kickoffs were touchbacks …
in his prep career, made 15-of-22 field goals, seven FG were longer than 40 yards … had 229 career points … helped team to two district championships (2008, 2005) and two conference championships (2008, 2006) during his four years … earned Honorable Mention All-State, first-team All-League, and first-team All-Area as a junior after making a school record and District 1 record 55-yard field goal … as a sophomore in 2006, earned first-team All-League and first-team All-Area accolades … as a freshman, named second-team All-League … Honor Roll student … attended the 2008 Al Golden Football Camp.“
Brandon McManus At Temple
McManus attentded Temple University where he was not only a clutch kicker on the field, but he also built a reputation for philanthropy with his off the field efforts. He was even quoted as saying that his work off the field is what he hopes will be his legacy at Temple.
He also said the following in his senior year about his future.
“My first goal is making it to the NFL; obviously that’s a huge dream of mine. I haven’t worked on applications or anything this year, because I totally want to focus on this season and the possibility of making it to the NFL. There’s always time for me to come back and go to medical school.“
McManus holds the Temple career records for points scored (338), field goals made (60), field goals attempted (83), and punting average (45.3). As a senior in 2012, he earned All-Big East first-team honors after leading the team in scoring (74) on 14-of-17 field goals and 32-of-33 extra points. He averaged 45.1 yards per punt, pinned 17 punts inside the 20-yard line and had a long kick of 68 yards. McManus handled kickoff duties as well and recorded 40 touchbacks on 56 total kickoffs.
Brandon McManus To The NFL
While McManus was not drafted in 2013, he found his way to the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Here he would find himself in a room with Adam Vinatieri and Pat McAfee.
Suffice it to say, the odds were piled against him. He would eventually be waived prior to the start of the season.
From A Giant To A Bronco
McManus inked a futures contract with the New York Giants in January of 2014. He would appear in all 4 preseason games, but he would soon find his place with the Denver Broncos in lieu of a 4 game suspension for starting Kicker, Matt Prater. Brandon would take the starting role permanently later that season when Prater was officially released.
The Broncos would go on to waive Brandon to make room for free agent Connor Barth. McManus would clear waivers and then be brought back on as the kickoff specialist. That year he converted all 41 PATs as well as going 9 of 13 on field goal attempts.
Superbowl Bound
The 2015 season saw McManus winning the kicking job outright agaist Barth in preseason training camp. He would then go on to have a monster year, converting 35 of 36 extra point attempts and 30 of 35 field goal attempts. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, McManus tied an NFL-postseason record by making five field goals. Overall throughout the playoffs that year, he would convert 10 field goals which would break the franchise record.
McManus would go on to help the Broncos with 3 crucial field goal attempts helping Denver to win Supebowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.
Over the next few years McManus would get paid and rack up multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week designations as well as becoming 2nd in team history for field goal percentage and total points.
He also holds the franchise record for 6 field goals in a game, and was also named Captain multiple times in his 9 year career with Denver. When he was finally released in 2023, he was the only remaining member of the Superbowl 50 championship team.
Departing From Denver
McManus’ release from the Broncos was shocking to most folks around the league at the time. Here’s some statements from the official release
“McManus, a nine-year veteran, has appeared in 144 games since 2014, all with Denver. In his nine seasons, McManus has converted 81.4 percent (223-of-274) of his field goal attempts and his 40 made field goals of 50-plus yards are third most in the NFL over that time span,” wrote the official release.
“His 946 total points are fifth-most in the NFL since 2014. He has appeared in four postseason contests and successfully converted all 10 of his field goal attempts, including two from 50-plus yards. He is one of two place kickers to convert all field goal and extra point attempts (minimum 10 field goals made) in the postseason in the last nine seasons.”
Jacksonville Jaguars
That same week he was immediately snatched by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brandon would sign a single year contract with the Jaguars. He would go on to earn AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as Player of the Month in October. However, this is when the controversy would begin. It was during his tenure with the Jaguars that the now alleged sexual assault would take place.
In September of 2023 during a private chartered flight for their London appearance, two women flight attendants accused McManus of sexually “grinding on” and harassing them. This news would not become public until 2024.
In & Out Of The Commanders.
The Jaguars would release Mcmanus and he would be picked up in March of 2024 by the Washington Commanders. He was then released in June after the above allegations became public. McManus has been steadfast in repeatedly denying the allegations.
The NFL concluded their own investigation as well last month. They reported that there was insufficient evidence to support that Brandon had violated the league’s personal conduct policy. Later last month a judge dismissed the women’s initial lawsuit due to them remaining anonymous in the filing. The women then filed an amended suit with their names.
Picked Up By Green Bay
So here we are, heading into week 7 after just clearing the air with a small bit of drama in the wide receiver room. Now, facing possible backlash for signing a controversial kicker.
I cannot speak to what happend on that flight or to the content of Brandon’s character. He and his lawyer have stated that the issue has been resolved , but no details on the settlement have been disclosed.
A Clean Image At Lambeau
A couple weeks ago I had joked with Aaron Nagler about the Packers bringing McManus in for the job. It was quickly dismissed due to the above allegations. The Packers have always tried to maintain a very clean cut and PG image of their team. It was definitely a bit of a surprise to see that Brian Gutekunst brought him into the building.
Gutey has however been vocal about the fact that they followed the NFL’s investigation and did some of their own digging, and feel confident about having him in the building. Listen to his statement below.
Brandon McManus The Future Of Green Bay’s Special Teams?
Controversy aside, Brandon McManus is likely the best option available to cure a 2 year long kicking issue with the green and gold. I am not registering an opinion regarding his off the field exploits, as I only know what I have read and am not personally familiar with everything that transpired.
All in all, McManus is a Superbowl champion veteran who is lights out on field goals under 50 yards. A skillset sorely missed by the Packers as of late. Through his NFL career his accuracy sits at 81.4% for field goals, and 90.8% when kicking from inside 50 yards. His veteran presence will bring a lot to the team, but it remains to be seen how the squad will embrace him. Here’s his own statement regarding being signed by the Packers.
“It’s been a difficult time these last couple of months,” McManus said following Wednesday’s practice. “I’m happy that it’s in the past now. I was hoping and working hard for another opportunity. I’m extremely grateful for the Green Bay Packers for giving me that next chance to come back out here and play the game I love.“
Starting This Sunday Against Houston
McManus will get his start during this Sunday’s whiteout game against the Houston Texans!
We will see if the drama is now behind McManus, and if he can help the Packers bring the trophy home to Lombardi Avenue. This will be an intense game against a great team in the Texans. I personally have been waiting for Love Vs Stroud since the schedule got released.
With every point being pivotal this week, we’ll see if Brandon McManus can come in clutch and earn back his winning reputation in the league.
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