Unless Matt LaFleur thinks differently, the “competition” at kicker for the Green Bay Packers is over, and it may have never began in the first place.
Asked on Friday who would kick for the Packers on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia made it clear McManus would be the kicker if the decision is up to him.
“Brandon McManus,” Bisaccia said. “Ask the head coach. But if you’re asking me, it’s Brandon McManus. I didn’t see it as a competition this week. I saw it as he’s getting healthier and he’s had a pretty good week kicking the ball.”
LaFleur had both McManus and Lucas Havrisik kick at practice on Thursday and suggested a legitimate competition at kicker entering the week. But Bisaccia clearly saw it a much different way.
McManus, who made 20-of-21 field goals last year, missed two games with a right quad injury and then has missed three field goals in the past two games since returning. Havirisk made all 10 of his kicks over two games in relief, including a 61-yard field goal in Arizona.
On kicks of at least 40 yards this season, McManus is 3-for-8. And his field goal percentage of 68.8 ranks 32nd out of 33 qualified kickers. The kicker ranked 33rd is Joshua Karty, who is losing his job this week in Los Angeles.
Both LaFleur and Bisaccia remain confident in the veteran kicker moving forward.
“Why not the confidence in Brandon?” Bisaccia asked. “People miss kicks. People miss tackles, people miss throws, people miss blocks. He missed a kick in the game. He’s kicking off really well. He’s getting healthier and healthier by the day. Had a hell of a set yesterday in practice. I’m anticipating him having a really good day tomorrow.”
Bisaccia said McManus is “frustrated” coming off the injury and needs to get back in the “groove.”
“He’s got to get his groove back, and really the only way to do that is in practice,” Bisaccia said.
McManus was listed as questionable on the final injury report last week but was a full participant at practice each day to start this week.
As of Friday afternoon, Havrisik remains on the 53-man roster, making the Packers the only team in the NFL with two kickers on the active roster as of Friday.