Brandon McManus stood at the podium in Chicago just a few days ago, and honestly, it was hard to watch. No clichés. No excuses about the wind. He just called it "an embarrassment." For a guy who has a Super Bowl ring and over a decade in the league, that kind of raw honesty is rare. But when you leave seven points on the board in a four-point playoff loss, there isn't much else to say.
The Green Bay Packers have a kicker problem. Again.
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It feels like a bad sequel. We thought the Brandon McManus era was the solution to the post-Mason Crosby era, which, let's be real, has been a total mess. Remember Brayden Narveson? Anders Carlson? The revolving door at Lambeau was supposed to stop with McManus. Instead, the 31-27 Wild Card loss to the Bears has blown the whole thing wide open.
The Wild Card Meltdown in Chicago
Let's look at what actually went down on January 10, 2026. The Packers were up. They had control. Then, things just... unraveled. McManus missed a 44-yarder. He missed a 55-yarder (though he actually made it the first time before Chicago called a timeout—the classic "ice the kicker" move that actually worked).
The real dagger, though? The missed extra point.
When you lose by four and your kicker misses two field goals and a PAT, the math isn't hard. It’s devastating. McManus didn't blame the snap from Matt Orzech or the hold from Daniel Whelan. He flat-out said everything was perfect and he just missed. That kind of accountability is why teammates like him, but in the NFL, "sorry" doesn't fix the salary cap or the scoreboard.
Why the Brandon McManus Contract is a Massive Headache
When Brian Gutekunst signed McManus to a three-year, $15.3 million extension in March 2025, it seemed like a stabilizing move. The deal included a $5 million signing bonus and a healthy $5.1 million average annual value. At the time, it made sense. McManus had just come off a 2024 season where he was nearly automatic, hitting 20-of-21 field goals after joining the team in October.
But the "honeymoon phase" in Green Bay ended fast.
His 2025 regular season was a rollercoaster. He finished with an 80% success rate (24-of-30), which ranked near the bottom of the league. We saw a blocked kick cost the game against the Browns and a missed chip-shot in a three-point loss to the Panthers. The consistency just vanished.
Now, the Packers are staring at a $1 million roster bonus due this coming March. If they keep him, he’s slated for a $5.36 million cap hit in 2026. If they cut him? They’re looking at about $3.33 million in dead money. It's a "pick your poison" scenario for the front office.
Is Lucas Havrisik the Answer?
While McManus was struggling, the Packers were quietly stashing Lucas Havrisik on the practice squad. People forget Havrisik actually stepped in for three games in 2025 while McManus dealt with a minor injury.
The kid was perfect. 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 61-yard bomb that tied the franchise record.
The Packers have already signed Havrisik to a "futures" contract for 2026. This isn't just a camp leg; it's a direct threat to McManus's job. You have a 34-year-old veteran making $5 million who is struggling, and a 26-year-old with a cannon for a leg making the league minimum. You don't need to be a GM to see where this is heading.
The Reality of the Kicking Carousel
Kicking in Green Bay is a different beast. The wind off the bay, the frozen turf, the "G" on the helmet—it breaks people. We saw it with Anders Carlson, who had all the physical tools but lost his confidence. McManus was supposed to be the "cold-blooded veteran" who didn't care about the weather.
He started that way. His first game as a Packer in 2024 ended with a 45-yard game-winner against the Texans and a Lambeau Leap. It was legendary. But 2025 showed that even veterans can get the yips.
The fan base is split. Half the people on Reddit are screaming to cut him before the roster bonus kicks in. The other half remembers how bad it was before he arrived and fears going back to a rookie who might miss three extra points in a month. It’s a classic Packers dilemma: trust the veteran experience or gamble on the high-upside youth.
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What Happens Next for Green Bay
The next few weeks will tell the story. Brian Gutekunst usually doesn't like eating dead money, but special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is under immense pressure. If the Packers decide to move on, they’ll likely do it before the mid-March deadline to avoid that $1 million bonus.
If you're looking for what to watch, keep an eye on the "Post-June 1" designation. If the Packers cut McManus after June 1, they can spread that dead money hit over two years, saving about $3.7 million in 2026 cash. That’s enough to go find a veteran punter or bolster the secondary.
The Brandon McManus era in Green Bay might have started with a leap, but it's ending with a lot of questions. If the Packers want to get back to the Super Bowl in 2026, they can't afford to leave seven points on the field in January. Whether the fix is Havrisik or a fresh face from the draft, the status quo isn't an option.
Actionable Insights for Packers Fans:
- Watch the Roster Bonus Date: If McManus is still on the roster on the third day of the new league year in March, he gets $1 million. If he's cut before then, the Packers are moving on.
- Follow Lucas Havrisik’s Progress: He is the primary internal candidate. Watch his performance in OTA’s and early camp; if he's hitting 60-yarders consistently, McManus is likely gone.
- Monitor Free Agency Kickers: Keep an eye on guys like Eddy Pineiro or even draft prospects from the SEC who are used to high-pressure environments.