One popular assumption about the Packers may already be wrong and the impact could be bigger than expected
Packers paid kicker Brandon McManus a significant roster bonus last month, but that doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot after his poor 2025 performance.
Yes, the Green Bay Packers gave kicker Brandon McManus a $1 million roster bonus, which was due in March. No, that doesn’t necessarily secure the veteran a roster spot. While it’s an indication that the Packers are willing to let him compete in training camp, there will be a real battle for the spot after what happened in 2025.
Sustainability vs. volatility
Kicker is a naturally volatile position, and McManus’ stint with the Packers is the ultimate proof of that concept. In 2024, he was one of the most efficient kickers in football, converting 20 of 21 field goals and all of his 30 extra points in the regular season. Despite a field goal miss in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles, McManus received a three-year contract extension last offseason.
Well, things changed dramatically in 2025. McManus converted 24 of 30 field goals, and his percentage dropped from 95.2% to 80%. He also missed an extra point. Worse than that, he missed two field goals (including a 44-yarder) and a fourth-quarter extra point costing the Packers seven points in 31-27 playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
“The biggest disappointment of my career,” McManus said after the game in Chicago. “It was an embarrassment of a performance. It’s disappointing. My role on the team is to make kicks and these guys pour in thousands of plays over the course of the season and I leave seven points on the board today. The most disappointing point of my career ever.”
Now, the Packers have to figure out how much of that is repeatable or not, for good and bad. Last year, McManus handled a right quad injury — that affects rhythm and confidence, even after he was healthy again. But he is undoubtedly on a short leash.
Internal competition
Green Bay brought back Lucas Havrisik, a kicker who played three games last season while McManus was hurt. He converted all of his four field goals, including a franchise record 61-yarder, but did miss two extra points in his final appearance. While McManus has the advantage in terms of investment, since the Packers already paid his bonus, Havrisik is eight years younger and would still be cheaper — McManus is set to make $2.7 million more this year, plus $4.6 million in 2027, while Havrisik has a vet minimum base salary of $1.075 million.
The assumption the Packers will definitely keep McManus because they paid his roster bonus is wrong, even though he can eventually prove himself once again. For now, just expect a training camp kicking battle.