Brandon McManus is back in the headlines after the Green Bay Packers officially released the veteran kicker following the 2026 NFL Draft. The move ends a short but eventful run in Green Bay and raises new questions about his NFL future, contract status, career production, and the allegations that surrounded him in 2024.
Packers Release Brandon McManus After Drafting Trey Smack
The Green Bay Packers released Brandon McManus on May 8, 2026, shortly after selecting Florida kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Reports indicate the organization wanted a younger and cheaper option at the position after McManus struggled late in the 2025 season.
McManus had signed a three-year contract extension with Green Bay in 2025, but the structure of the deal reportedly gave the Packers financial flexibility to move on quickly if needed. His release came after a disappointing playoff performance in which he missed multiple critical kicks against the Chicago Bears.
The veteran kicker initially joined Green Bay during the 2024 season and immediately made an impact with several game-winning kicks. However, his consistency declined during the 2025 campaign.
Brandon McManus Contract Breakdown
In March 2025, McManus agreed to a three-year contract worth approximately $15.3 million with the Packers, including a reported $5 million signing bonus.
The deal was viewed as a reward for his strong performances during the 2024 season, when he stabilized Green Bay’s special teams unit after joining midseason. Despite the contract extension, the Packers clearly left themselves an exit route, which they used after drafting Trey Smack.
Before his Packers stint, McManus signed:
- A one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023
- A one-year deal with the Washington Commanders in 2024
- Multiple extensions during his long tenure with the Denver Broncos
His biggest previous contract came with Denver in 2020, when he signed a four-year extension worth $17.2 million.
Brandon McManus Stats and Career Numbers
McManus has built one of the more productive kicking careers in recent NFL history. Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, he recorded:
- 297 field goals made
- 362 field goal attempts
- 82.0% field goal percentage
- Longest field goal: 61 yards
- 1,265 total points scored
The former Temple standout became best known during his years with the Denver Broncos, where he helped the franchise win Super Bowl 50. He was one of the league’s most reliable long-range kickers during his prime and delivered several clutch postseason performances.
In the 2024 season with Green Bay, McManus converted 20 of 21 field goals after signing with the team midyear. However, his numbers dipped in 2025 as he finished 24-for-30 on field goals.
Brandon McManus Allegations Explained
McManus faced major controversy in 2024 after two flight attendants filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault during a Jacksonville Jaguars team flight to London in 2023. The allegations claimed inappropriate behavior occurred during the overseas trip.
McManus denied all allegations, and the NFL later completed its investigation. In September 2024, the league announced there was insufficient evidence to conclude that he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The legal case later evolved when the original anonymous lawsuit was dismissed and refiled using the accusers’ names. By October 2024, attorneys for both sides stated the matter had been resolved, though specific settlement details were not publicly disclosed.
The controversy impacted his brief time with the Washington Commanders, who released him shortly after the allegations became public.
What’s Next for Brandon McManus?
At 34 years old, McManus still has experience and leg strength that could attract NFL interest. Teams looking for veteran kicking depth may consider signing him before training camp or during the regular season if injuries occur.
Despite the recent release and off-field controversy, his career résumé remains strong. McManus owns a Super Bowl ring, over 1,200 career points, and more than a decade of NFL experience.
Whether he lands another contract could depend on both his recent form and how teams evaluate the baggage surrounding the allegations and legal proceedings.
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