When Brandon McManus signed with the Green Bay Packers midseason in 2024, he expected a fresh start, a chance to stabilize a struggling kicking game, and perhaps a new chapter in his 11-year NFL career. But what the veteran kicker didn’t anticipate was how profoundly his time in Green Bay would reshape his life—both on and off the field—in ways that were as exhilarating as they were, at times, terrifying.
A Lifeline in Green Bay
McManus, a 33-year-old kicker with a reputation for reliability, was brought to Green Bay to replace Brayden Narveson, who had struggled with a 70.6% field goal success rate through the first six games of the 2024 season. McManus, who had faced uncertainty after allegations of misconduct earlier in his career, saw Green Bay as a chance to reclaim his narrative. “It’s been awesome and a blessing to be here,” McManus said in a recent interview, reflecting on his journey with the Packers.
His impact was immediate. In the final 11 games of the 2024 season, McManus went 20-of-21 on field goals (95.2%) and was perfect on all 30 extra-point attempts, providing the kind of consistency the Packers hadn’t seen since the days of Mason Crosby. His performance earned him a three-year, $15.3 million contract extension in the offseason, a deal structured with a $5 million signing bonus but minimal guarantees, reflecting the team’s confidence in his ability to deliver under pressure.
The Weight of Expectations
But with great opportunity came immense pressure. Green Bay isn’t just any NFL city—it’s a football mecca where the weight of history and fan expectations can feel suffocating. For McManus, stepping into the role of the Packers’ kicker meant inheriting the legacy of legends like Crosby, whose clutch performances defined an era. The pressure to perform in high-stakes moments, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2025, was a new kind of intensity for McManus.
“Green Bay has been a blessing,” McManus said, “but it’s also terrifying to know that one kick can change everything—your season, your career, how the fans see you.” The terror of those moments—standing alone on the field with the game on the line, the roar of Lambeau Field in your ears—was something McManus hadn’t fully prepared for. He described a particularly nerve-wracking moment during a close game against a divisional rival in 2024, where a 44-yard field goal in the final seconds sealed a critical victory. “I’ve never felt my heart race like that,” he admitted. “It’s a different kind of fear, but it’s also why I love this game.”
A Personal Transformation
Beyond the field, McManus found Green Bay to be a place of personal growth. The tight-knit community, the passionate fanbase, and the organization’s family-like atmosphere challenged him to confront parts of himself he hadn’t expected to face. “You come here thinking it’s just a job,” he said, “but Green Bay gets under your skin. The people, the history—it forces you to look at your life differently.”
The allegations from his past, which had cast a shadow over his career, lingered as he joined the Packers. While the team and fans embraced him, McManus felt the pressure to prove he was more than the controversy. He leaned into community work, engaging with local charities and connecting with fans, which he described as both humbling and daunting. “You’re not just representing yourself—you’re representing this whole city,” he said. “That’s a responsibility that can feel overwhelming.”
The Road Ahead
As the Packers gear up for the 2025 season, McManus is firmly entrenched as their kicker, with little competition from camp leg Alex Hale. His 5-for-6 performance in OTA field goal attempts, ranging from extra points to 44 yards, reaffirmed his reliability. Yet, the stakes are higher than ever. With a talented roster led by quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs, and a bolstered receiving corps featuring rookie Matthew Golden, the Packers are seen as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Every kick McManus takes could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
For McManus, the journey in Green Bay has been a rollercoaster of emotions—gratitude, pressure, and moments of sheer terror. “I never thought a place could change me like this,” he reflected. “It’s scary, but it’s also the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” As the 2025 season looms, McManus is ready to embrace the fear, knowing that each kick is a chance to etch his name into Packers history.