The Green Bay Packers have decided to part ways with veteran kicker Brandon McManus after a series of costly misses in their NFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. McManus, who signed a three-year, $15.5 million contract with the Packers last season, was released just one year into the deal.
McManus's performance in the playoff game proved to be the final straw. He missed both of his field goal attempts and an extra-point try in the 31-27 defeat. During the regular season, McManus made 24 of 30 field goals and missed only one extra point in 33 attempts. However, his playoff struggles were too significant to overlook.
In the first half, McManus missed a 55-yard field goal while the Packers led 21-3. Later, after a touchdown extended the lead to 27-16 with 6:36 remaining, he missed the extra point. The Bears rallied to tie the game at 27-24, and McManus then missed a 44-yard field goal that could have made Chicago's task more difficult. The Bears subsequently scored a touchdown to take a 31-27 lead, securing their first playoff win since 2010 and first playoff victory over the Packers since 1941.
With McManus gone, the Packers will turn to rookie kicker Trey Smack, selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft from the University of Florida. Smack made 53 of 64 field goals in college, including 10 of 13 from 50 yards or longer.
McManus previously played for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars before joining Green Bay in 2024.
