As the Green Bay Packers' faithful continue to mull over veteran kicker Brandon McManus' future, there's fresh kicking news that could pique their interest. Graham Gano, a seasoned kicker, found himself released on Monday morning, making him a free agent. With his track record, he’s bound to attract attention from teams facing kicking challenges, and the Packers might just be a surprising contender.
Currently, the Packers seem inclined to let McManus iron out his issues after a rocky 2025 season. However, injecting some competition could be highly beneficial. While McManus remains the frontrunner, Gano could provide meaningful competition during the offseason, giving Green Bay a compelling reason to consider bringing him on board.
Graham Gano Could Spark the Competition McManus Needs
Despite his recent release, Gano isn’t new to the ups and downs of the NFL. Since starting with the Washington Commanders in 2009, he’s faced challenging times over the last three years with the Giants, struggling with injuries and making just 76.3% of his field goals during that span.
Injuries have certainly played a role, with a knee issue in 2023, a hamstring problem in 2024, and a severe neck injury requiring surgery last November. As Gano looks to rebound, he’s not necessarily seeking a starting role but rather an opportunity to prove himself again.
Green Bay might not seem like the easiest destination with McManus in place, but it’s a team known for revitalizing kicking careers.
Green Bay: A Breeding Ground for Kicking Comebacks
McManus himself found new life with the Packers. Despite a career conversion rate of 82%, he slipped to 77.8% in his last year with the Broncos and wasn’t retained by the Jaguars after an 81.1% season in 2023.
After a stint as a free agent, McManus joined Green Bay, where he flourished, hitting 95.2% of his field goals and earning a lucrative contract. However, a quad injury last season allowed Lucas Havrisik to step in.
Havrisik, who had struggled with the Rams and even turned to substitute teaching, signed with the Packers and impressed with a perfect field goal record, including a franchise-record 61-yarder.
With Havrisik re-signed, the potential for a three-man competition could yield the best kicker for the Packers.
These stories of redemption could be enticing for Gano and advantageous for Green Bay. Gano’s career field goal percentage of 83.8% is on par with McManus, but he’s had standout moments, like leading the NFL in 2017 with a 96.7% conversion rate and making the Pro Bowl.
In 2020, he nailed 96.9% of his field goals with the Giants and was 9-of-10 last year before injuries struck.
This is exactly the kind of competition the Packers need after McManus’ struggles last season, including a disappointing Wild Card performance. While drafting a kicker is an option, past experiences, like the miss on Anders Carlson, show it’s not always reliable.
Bringing in a proven veteran like Gano could be the stabilizing force the Packers need, adding another intriguing chapter to their ongoing kicker saga. Both Gano and Packers GM Brian Gutekunst should be considering this opportunity for mutual benefit.