The Green Bay Packers boast one of the NFL’s top offenses, averaging 400.8 total yards per game, the fourth-highest in the league. Their 27.0 points per game rank them eighth overall. Quarterback Jordan Love, despite missing two games due to a sprained MCL, has been a key factor, throwing 12 touchdown passes—second-most in the NFL—and is the only quarterback with multiple four-touchdown games this season.
On defense, the Packers have made significant strides compared to last year. Although they rank 18th in total yards allowed per game, they lead the league in takeaways and are ninth in points allowed. The team has also shown improvement in run defense, conceding just 110.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the NFL.
With both the offense and defense trending upward, the Packers look poised to be one of the league’s top teams by season’s end. However, their special teams remain a weak spot that continues to lag behind the other units.
Green Bay Packers Kicker Brayden Narveson Has Not Been an Improvement
Last offseason, the Green Bay Packers opted to move on from franchise all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby, replacing him with sixth-round draft pick Anders Carlson. This decision proved costly, as the team struggled in the kicking game throughout the season and it played a significant role in their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Playoffs.
Carlson had a rough season, leading the league in missed kicks and failing to convert at least one attempt in each postseason game. His inconsistency led the Packers to bring in Greg Joseph to compete with him during training camp. However, both Carlson and Joseph were disappointing, and the Packers ultimately released them.
For the 2024 NFL regular season, Green Bay chose to go with Brayden Narveson, who had previously been waived by the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, Narveson continued the team’s kicking woes, missing five field goals—the most in the league. As a result, the Packers announced on Tuesday that they were releasing Narveson and signing a controversial veteran kicker in his place.
In an interesting twist, the same day it was revealed that Anders Carlson had been picked up by the San Francisco 49ers, the team that had ousted the Packers from the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers Fans Are Not Happy with the Signing of Brandon McManus
The Green Bay Packers have signed veteran kicker Brandon McManus to replace Brayden Narveson, who struggled this season. McManus brings experience and a solid career track record, with an 81.4% field goal percentage and a 97.2% success rate on extra points. Last season, while with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he made 81.1% of his field goals and converted all of his extra point attempts.
Veteran K Brandon McManus worked out for the #Packers today.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 15, 2024
While McManus is clearly an upgrade, the signing has sparked controversy due to the unresolved legal issues surrounding him.
McManus is currently facing a lawsuit filed by two former Jaguars flight attendants who accused him of sexual assault during a team flight to London last year. Although the initial case was dismissed because the plaintiffs filed anonymously, it was refiled with their names attached, and the matter is still pending in court.
Yikes. No thanks. https://t.co/NYiBQpnxKM pic.twitter.com/KjhIRJarEC
— Karla D 💚💛🧀 (@kar052584) October 15, 2024
i’m not saying brandon mcmanus is guilty or innocent, that’s not my job. but dismissing the entire thing—which is still very much ongoing btw—is scummy. what if it was one of the women in your life? would you still say, “meh, as long as he makes field goals”? https://t.co/011ls9ES37
— Zachary Jacobson (@zacobson) October 16, 2024
Certified creep will fix kicking situation, harass women. https://t.co/UJ6RUGvq5e
— Badger Boo!nan (@BadgerNoonan) October 15, 2024
In the best version of the McManus thing, he’s a total creep. I don’t like this. https://t.co/9G9Kup6AlP
— Zach Rapport (@ZachRapport) October 15, 2024
I’d rather narveson miss every kick than have a creep as a kicker tbh. https://t.co/vCP1RqPY9F
— Dannica Brene (@dannicabrene) October 15, 2024
The NFL investigated the allegations and did not find sufficient evidence to warrant a suspension, but that hasn’t alleviated concerns for many Packers fans. The situation raises broader questions about the team’s decision to sign a player with serious accusations still unresolved. McManus hasn’t been found guilty, and as an American citizen, he retains the presumption of innocence. However, the allegations have not been proven false either, which creates unease for some fans who value the team’s reputation for keeping players with clean legal records.
The Packers have traditionally prioritized character in their roster decisions, and some fans feel this signing contradicts that philosophy. While McManus undoubtedly strengthens the kicking game, the unresolved legal situation carries potential risks that could overshadow his on-field contributions. Until the case reaches a resolution, the move could become a significant distraction or embarrassment for the organization, regardless of his performance.
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