Brandon McManus: A Key Piece in Green Bay’s 2025 Free Agency Plans

A Priority for the Packers
As the Green Bay Packers evaluate their 2025 free agency class, one name stands out: kicker Brandon McManus. While kickers are often overlooked compared to other positions, McManus proved his value, making him a top priority for the team heading into next season.

General manager Brian Gutekunst emphasized McManus’ importance, stating, “We had a good conversation before he left, and you guys know how he solidified that journey we were going on.” He praised McManus’ ability to adapt to challenging conditions, highlighting his role alongside Matt Orzech and Daniel Whelan in forming a reliable specialist unit.

The Kicker Market Landscape
The market for kickers in the NFL is unique, with a significant financial gap between veterans and players still on rookie contracts.

For reference, Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos is currently the most affordable option among established veterans, earning $3.9 million per season. However, the highest-paid kickers, like Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs ($6.4 million) and Jake Elliott of the Philadelphia Eagles ($6 million), set a much higher standard.

This market dynamic presents a challenge for Green Bay as they look to retain McManus at a competitive price.

McManus’ Performance and Track Record
McManus had a standout season with the Packers, despite one costly miss—a 38-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs, marking his first-ever postseason miss. Outside of that moment, he delivered an exceptional performance.

Among kickers with at least 20 field goal attempts, McManus ranked second in accuracy at 95.2%, just behind Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk (95.4%). However, this was the best statistical season of his career, with his overall NFL average standing at 82.2%.

While he has never been selected to a Pro Bowl or named an All-Pro, McManus falls into the category of dependable, above-average kickers. Players of his caliber typically earn between $5 million and $5.5 million per season.

Dustin Hopkins of the Cleveland Browns provides a useful comparison. At age 33—the same age McManus will be in 2025—Hopkins signed a three-year, $15.9 million extension with an 83.9% career field goal accuracy.

A Potential Contract for McManus
For the Packers, securing McManus on a multi-year deal would bring stability to a position that has seen frequent changes since the departure of longtime kicker Mason Crosby.

A realistic contract could be structured as a three-year, $16.5 million deal, averaging $5.5 million per year. For McManus, this would represent a significant financial recovery after signing a veteran-minimum prorated deal worth $656,000 with the Packers in 2024.

Salary Cap Considerations
In 2025, the veteran minimum salary for players with seven or more accrued seasons in the NFL will be $1.255 million.

Even if McManus signs a deal averaging $5.5 million annually, the Packers can structure it to minimize the cap hit. By allocating $4.245 million as a signing bonus, his 2025 cap hit could be limited to just $2.67 million, giving the team flexibility in other areas of roster building.

The Right Move for Green Bay
Brandon McManus solidified Green Bay’s kicking game, a position that had been in flux for years. Given the limited number of high-quality kickers available and the affordability of his contract compared to offensive and defensive stars, retaining McManus is a logical move for the Packers.

All signs point to a deal getting done, ensuring stability at a crucial position for the foreseeable future.