Packers build kicking industry: Green Bay targets former Super Bowl kicker, releases long-suffering Brayden Narveson

The Green Bay Packers transitioned Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers seamlessly with current starter Jordan Love, but have had a tougher generation replacing the franchise’s famous all-time scorer, kicker Mason Crosby.

That’s why Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst hired isolated agent Brandon McManus ahead of a drill, the team announced Wednesday. He will instantly transform the Packers’ kicker, as the club released long-suffering Brayden Narveson. The Packers (4-2) have a deep matchup against the Texans (5-1) on Sunday afternoon.

The 2024 season will be the 11th NFL season for McManus, 33, the next nine with the Denver Broncos to begin his career from 2014 to 2022 and his final season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was the kicker for the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 championship team in the 2015 season. His 253 field goals rank fourth most in the NFL between 2014 and 2023, behind the Ravens’ top kicker, Justin Tucker. (327), Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (280) and Cardinal’s kicker Matt Prater (259) in his career span. .

The Washington Commanders signed him to a one-year contract in March but reduced it in June after he was the subject of a lawsuit alleging sexual assault. McManus may be eligible to play games for the Packers instantly A league investigation later found inadequate evidence to support a violation of the NFL’s personal habits policy.

Crosby’s initial successor was Anders Carlson, a 2023 sixth-round pick who scored 29 of his 36 goals on grass as a rookie but was released during recent roster cuts this second summer. Green Bay claimed former Tennessee Titans kicker Brayden Narveson off waivers after the preseason, and the isolated undrafted agent’s 70.6% outfield work percentage (12 of 17) this regular season ranked as the second lowest in the NFL in six weeks, ahead. from Zeurlein’s top figure of 66.7% (8 out of 12).