McManus glad to have another chance

Kicker Brandon McManus signed with the Packers and, just days later, kicked a winning field goal for his new team. It’s a very different sensation from a year ago for the kicker. Two women sued McManus and his then-team the Jacksonville Jaguars for actions that allegedly occurred during the team’s trip to London on Sept. 28, 2023. McManus signed a one-year contract with the Commanders in March but was released by the team following the allegations. The report claimed the kicker attempted to kiss one of the flight attendants and grinded on her while she was serving food to the team. The second flight attendant accused McManus of the same behavior when she served the team’s second meal, according to the report. Earlier this fall, the lawsuit was dismissed. Have you thought since Commanders let you go that you deserve another chance? It’s been a difficult time these last couple of months. I’m happy that it’s in the past now. I was hoping and working hard for another opportunity. I’m extremely grateful for the Green Bay Packers for giving me that next chance to come back out here and play the game I love. I’m fortunate to play it for 11 years, this being my 12th year. I’m extremely happy to be here and excited to be around the locker room again. Were you confident you’d get that opportunity once the NFL made its ruling, or were you worried somebody still might not take a chance on you? The kicker position, as we all know, it’s a black-and-white position. I was hoping my previous track record and my performances on the field would be able to give me another opportunity. Like I said, extremely happy and excited when the Packers reached out, talking with Brian Gutekunst and (special teams coordinator Rich) Bisaccia just giving me that opportunity again. What’s your message to the league and to the Packers? I guess I can’t speak on the investigation, but I’ve been very honest about it, to them, the league and the Packers. I think they did the research. The NFL resolved it and so did the courts. The matter’s been resolved. Like I said, I was always up front and honest about it. That’s how I was able to kind of get through this all. Were Packers the first team to call? I’ve spoken with other teams, but like I said, I was excited to be here. What a great young team. Seeing what they did last year, and seeing what they’re doing again this year, just an opportunity to come back here. What did you learn about yourself through this process? I’m just happy the matter’s been resolved. Like I said, it’s been difficult. I just continued to try to keep my head down, work hard, hopefully that opportunity (would come) again. Like I said, extremely thankful there was someone out there willing to give me another chance. Like I said, super excited to be here and help this team hopefully get to the next level. When you say the matter has been resolved, do you mean just with the NFL’s ruling or all over? Yes, the league and the civil lawsuit. The matter’s been resolved. So the lawsuit isn’t pending anymore? It’s all done? Correct. Do you feel you need to prove yourself? I think every single day you need to prove yourself. I spoke earlier, the kicker is such a black-and-white position. When I joined this league, I joined the Broncos, I was cut by the Colts, and the Giants traded me to Denver, and I played for like 13 weeks. Similar situation, the Broncos thought they had a Super Bowl champion team. They cut me for Connor Barth and brought me back to kick off actually the rest of the season. And then I worked hard, earned my starting job back and had one of the best seasons in NFL history that year to help them win the Super Bowl. You always have to prove yourself in the kicking position. For Brayden (Narveson), like I said, I’ve been in that position before with him losing an opportunity but then work my butt off to get it back again. I was able to kind of succeed after that. I think in the kicking position, you’re always trying to obviously help the team put points on the board, but it’s such a black-and-white position that you’ve got to stay focused every single time and go out. Every single kick has the utmost importance. Comfort with the operation? These guys are consummate pros, and we’ve got one of the best coordinators in the league who’s very detail oriented and he’s done a great job. Just how they operate and everything, the practice, it was a seamless flow today with everything. Extremely excited to be working with them as a unit. Regimen to stay sharp? I have 5-year-old twin boys and a 4-year-old boy, so definitely chasing them around, and then there’s three different places I kicked at. One of them I was just kicking at a light post, just accuracy wise, and the other two I was going to football fields and kicking on the uprights there, been working my butt off to get another opportunity to get back in.