Green Bay Packers Release Kicker Brandon McManus

May 8, 2026, 18:34
USSports

Introduction

The Green Bay Packers have decided to release veteran kicker Brandon McManus after signing a rookie player to take his place.

Main Body

The decision to end Brandon McManus's time with the team follows a period of inconsistent performance and changes to the team's strategy. After joining the team in October 2024, McManus was very successful, making 95.2% of his field goals. However, after signing a three-year, $15.3 million contract extension in 2025, his performance became less reliable. This was partly caused by leg injuries that limited him to only 14 games. Consequently, he struggled during a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, where he missed two field goals and one extra point, which he later described as an 'embarrassing performance.' Furthermore, the team's strategy changed during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Packers traded two seventh-round picks to acquire Trey Smack from the University of Florida in the sixth round. While General Manager Brian Gutekunst emphasized that this move was intended to create competition, it also helped the team save money. This is because Smack's rookie contract is much cheaper than McManus's salary. Additionally, the team still has Lucas Havrisik on the roster, who previously set a franchise record with a 61-yard field goal while McManus was injured.

Conclusion

The Packers have now moved to a new group of kickers, including Trey Smack and Lucas Havrisik, before their team activities begin on May 26.

Learning

The Power of 'Connectors' (Moving beyond 'And', 'But', 'Because')

At an A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words. To reach B2, you need Logical Bridges. These are words that tell the reader how two ideas relate to each other.

🛠 The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently

Instead of saying "He was injured, so he played bad," the text uses Consequently.

  • Usage: Use this when one event naturally causes another.
  • Example from text: "...leg injuries that limited him... Consequently, he struggled during a playoff loss."

🛠 The 'Addition' Bridge: Furthermore & Additionally

Stop using "And... and... and." Use these to add a new, important point to your argument.

  • Furthermore: Use this when the second point is even more important than the first.
  • Additionally: Use this to add extra information of equal value.
  • Example from text: "Furthermore, the team's strategy changed..."

🛠 The 'Contrast' Bridge: While

B2 students don't just use "But." They use While to compare two different situations in one sentence.

  • The Logic: While [Situation A is true], [Situation B is also true/different].
  • Example from text: "While General Manager Brian Gutekunst emphasized that this move was intended to create competition, it also helped the team save money."

💡 Coach's Tip: To sound more professional, start your sentences with these connectors followed by a comma. It creates a natural pause and makes your English sound more sophisticated.

Vocabulary Learning

release (v.)
To let someone go from a job or position.
Example:The team decided to release the veteran kicker.
veteran (adj.)
Someone who has many years of experience in a particular field.
Example:The veteran player helped guide the younger teammates.
rookie (n.)
A new player who has just joined a team.
Example:The rookie pitcher made his debut last night.
inconsistent (adj.)
Not steady or reliable; varying from one time to another.
Example:His performance was inconsistent during the season.
strategy (n.)
A plan or method for achieving a goal.
Example:The coach developed a new strategy for the playoffs.
contract (n.)
A written agreement that specifies terms of employment.
Example:She signed a contract worth $15.3 million.
extension (n.)
A period added to the original length of something.
Example:The contract extension added three more years to his tenure.
injuries (n.)
Physical harm that limits a person's ability to play.
Example:His injuries caused him to miss many games.
playoff (n.)
A series of games played to decide a champion.
Example:The team struggled during the playoff loss.
competition (n.)
The state of competing against others for a goal.
Example:The new signing was intended to increase competition for the starting spot.