Packers to Release Brandon McManus After Drafting Trey Smack The Green Bay Packers are set to release kicker Brandon McManus following the team’s decision to draft Trey Smack in the NFL draft, according to ESPN. The move comes after McManus received a $1 million roster bonus in March, a payment that appears to have been made despite the Packers’ plans to cut him. The decision clears the path for Smack, a rookie, to compete for the starting kicking job in his first season with the team. McManus, who had stabilized the Packers’ kicking position after joining the team midway through the 2024 season, struggled with consistency in the 2025 playoffs. His three missed kicks during the wild-card round against the Chicago Bears left the team short 7 points in a 4-point loss. The issues stemmed from his inability to regain timing after returning from a quad injury on his kicking leg. His performance declined sharply, with a 55-yard field goal attempt missing wide left in the first half and a fourth-quarter extra point also falling short. A critical 44-yard attempt in the final minutes of the game was pushed wide right due to overcompensation. Despite these struggles, McManus had maintained a streak of 32 consecutive made kicks before the playoffs. However, his postseason performance raised concerns about his reliability under pressure. The Packers, seeking a more consistent option, turned to the draft to address their kicking needs. In the sixth round, they selected Smack, a three-year starter at Florida, who had demonstrated strong accuracy during his college career. Smack made 83% of his field goals for the Gators, including 10 of 13 from at least 50 yards.#green_bay_packers #brian_gutekunst #brandon_mcmanus #trey_smack #cam_achord
