Veteran K Brandon McManus released by Broncos after 9 seasons

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus, the team’s last remaining Super Bowl 50 champion, was released by the team on Tuesday.

McManus announced the move on social media, followed shortly by the team’s official announcement.

Several players told ESPN on Tuesday morning as they prepared for the team’s first OTA practice that they reached out to McManus, who said in a Twitter post that there would be “more to come in the next days”.

“Brandon has been a key player and presence with the Broncos for nearly a decade, making outstanding contributions to our team and our community,” Broncos general manager George Paton said in a statement. “Becoming one of the most productive kickers in the NFL, Brandon has done so many clutch kicks for this franchise over the years as a Super Bowl champion and team captain. He will always occupy a special place in Denver Broncos history. We thank Brandon for all he does for the Broncos, and wish him and his extended family all the best for the future.”

After years of turnover in the roster and on the coaching staff since the organization’s third Super Bowl win to close out the 2015 season, McManus, 31 – he’ll turn 32 at the end of July – was the only player left. on alignment. who played in this team.

That playoff run may also have been the pinnacle of McManus’ time with the Broncos as he made 10 of 10 field goal attempts in all three postseason games, including 5 in 5 on attempts for 40 yards or more. He was 3 of 3 in field goal attempts in the Broncos’ 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Since winning that title game, the Broncos haven’t made the playoffs in the past seven years and Sean Payton was hired earlier this year as the fourth different head coach since Gary Kubiak stepped down. after the 2016 season. Linebacker Von Miller, one of McManus’ closest friends and godfather to one of McManus’ children, and McManus were the only remaining players on the Super Bowl team when Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season.

We released K Brandon McManus.

A #SB50 champion, team captain and second leading scorer in Broncos history.

Thanks for all you gave #BroncosCountry, @thekidmcmanus. 🧡

📰” https://t.co/6xGdwQGpW6 pic.twitter.com/fvT7bnx9Bb

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 23, 2023

McManus was 28 of 36 (77.8%) in field goal attempts last season, his first year since 2017 in which he made less than 80% of his field goal attempts. He was not alone in a struggle as the Broncos finished the year with the weakest offense in the league.

McManus had two years left on a four-year extension he signed in 2020 and was scheduled to count $4.98 million against the salary cap. McManus is vice president of the NFL Players Association and a member of the organization’s board of directors.

His Project McManus foundation has been active in the Denver community during his time with the team.

The Broncos acquired McManus in a trade from the New York Giants in 2014 when Matt Prater was suspended for four games to start that season. Prater was released later that year, and McManus had been the Broncos’ kicker ever since. He is the franchise’s second leading scorer behind compatriot Jason Elam.