Former Broncos champion kicker inked by Super Bowl contender

The 35-year-old former Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has been a free agent since the Green Bay Packers cut him in May — now he joins the Los Angeles Rams

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Oct 20, 2026, 2:50 PM

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Former Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old has been a free agent since the Green Bay Packers cut him in May after drafting Trey Smack in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft.

McManus spent the past two seasons with the Packers, including a career season in 2024. During that season, McManus made a career-high 95.2% of his field goals, going 20 of 21 and making 100% of his extra points.

Last season, McManus’ numbers dipped as he missed six field goals, including four between 40 and 49 yards. The 34-year-old also missed two more field goals from beyond 50 yards and an extra point. In the Packers’ playoff game against the Chicago Bears, McManus missed two field goals and an extra point. Green Bay lost 31-27.

He joins a Los Angeles Rams team that is on its third kicker in as many weeks. They cut second-year kicker Harrison Mevis then Blake Grupe suffered a season-ending injury in back-to-back weeks. The preseason Super Bowl favorites have suffered many injures and are off to a 2-4 start. Now it’s the former Broncos player who will look to have an impact.

Funny enough, he worked out on Tuesday in Los Angeles for the job, competing against another former Bronco — Matt Prater. McManus is who replaced Prater as the Broncos goto leg during the Peyton Manning era.

McManus spent nine seasons with the Broncos before getting released by head coach Sean Payton. McManus then signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. During the Broncos’ Super Bowl run, McManus was one of the most valuable players in the playoffs. McManus didn’t miss a field goal or extra point. The Super Bowl 50 champion hit all five of his attempts against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round, all four of his chanes the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots, and all four of his kicks in the Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers.

During the rest of his career with the Broncos from 2016-2022, McManus made 96.2% of his extra points and made 81.4% of his field goals. Kicks under 40 yards, McManus missed eight field goals, but kicks 50 yards and longer, McManus struggled by making 35 out of 63 attempts.

Currently, McManus sits second all-time in Broncos history in field goals made (223) only behind Ring of Famer Jason Elam.