Green Bay Packers Ink Kicker To 3-Year Deal

The Green Bay Packers were spoiled for years at the kicker position. Mason Crosby spent 16 seasons with the team and made many huge kicks in his career. When he retired, the team struggled to find a suitable option. They drafted Anders Carlson two years ago, but he failed to show consistency. Early last season, there was a rotating cast of characters that tried to win the job. None of them worked out.

After week 6, the Packers signed veteran kicker Brandon McManus, hoping he would be able to solve the kicking woes. He did that and then some. He kicked game-winning field goals in his first two weeks and was solid the whole year. The team rewarded him with a three-year contract on Tuesday.

Green Bay Packers Re-Sign Brandon McManus

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal is a three-year, $15.3 million contract. This includes a $5 million signing bonus. While it may seem like a lot to spend on a kicker, Green Bay Packers fans know the value of having a reliable player. Any time a kicker came on the field, heart rates went up, and frustrations mounted with every missed kick. McManus came in and calmed those fears. He went 20-21 on field goals and was a perfect 30-30 on extra points.

Heading into the offseason, many called on GM Brian Gutekunst not to let the veteran kicker hit free agency. The Green Bay Packers are too good of a team to have massive questions at such a critical position. Teams who leave points on the board due to missed field goals tend to fall short in the biggest moments. It isn’t just about missing out on points but also giving your opponent good field position after the miss. Packers fans can rest easy knowing the kicker position is taken care of.

Busy Offseason Ahead?

The Green Bay Packers have already been busy this offseason. Yesterday, they re-signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year deal. Like McManus, this signing may not seem exciting, but it helps solidify the special teams unit. Reports indicate the team might not be done. Rumors have swirled that the team could be looking for a veteran wide receiver and some offensive line help. On the defensive side of the ball, a cornerback is a need, especially considering the Jaire Alexander situation. 

This signing indicates how the Green Bay Packers view their team. Rebuilding teams would take a flier on a cheap kicker. Teams that think they have a shot at a Super Bowl spend money to solidify that position. The Packers think they have a Super Bowl-winning team. Quarterback Jordan Love has shown he can lead a team to the playoffs. Last year was considered a down year, and they still made the postseason. If the offense can clean some things up, they could be dangerous next season.

Final Thoughts

This may not seem like a big deal to NFL fans, but this signing is a huge deal for Green Bay Packers fans. Many fans thought re-signing McManus was one of the top offseason priorities. Now that it is done, the front office can turn its attention to other parts of the roster. What do the Packers have in store for free agency this year?