Brandon McManus, the second-leading scorer in Denver Broncos history, is once again on the move after being released by the Green Bay Packers on Friday. The veteran kicker now finds himself searching for a new NFL home, and the timing couldn't be more telling.

The Packers' decision to part ways with McManus wasn't entirely unexpected. Green Bay invested a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select kicker Trey Smack out of Florida, signaling their confidence in the rookie. In fact, the team appears so sold on Smack that they opted not to even stage a kicking competition this summer—a clear vote of confidence in their young leg.

McManus originally joined the Packers in October 2024 to stabilize a struggling special teams unit. He did just that, performing so reliably that Green Bay rewarded him with a three-year contract extension last March. However, the 2025 season proved more challenging. McManus missed six field goals during the regular season, and his postseason performance was particularly costly. In a Wild Card round loss to the Chicago Bears (31-27), he missed two field goals. Overall, in two playoff appearances with the Packers, he converted just one of four field goal attempts.

Before his stint in Green Bay, McManus was a mainstay for the Broncos from 2014 to 2022, amassing 946 points—second only to franchise legend Jason Elam. Denver released him in a cost-cutting move ahead of the 2023 season, after which he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ahead of the 2024 season, he inked a deal with the Washington Commanders, but that contract was terminated following sexual assault allegations, which have since been resolved.

Now approaching his 35th birthday in July, McManus waits to see if another team will come calling. For a kicker with his track record—and a history of bouncing back—it's likely only a matter of time before he gets another shot.