Green Bay, Wisconsin – The Green Bay Packers have made a decisive move in the wake of their heartbreaking 31–27 Wild Card playoff defeat to the Chicago Bears, officially releasing kicker Brandon McManus just one day after the loss. The decision comes after a game that will be remembered in Green Bay for both its improbable collapse and the pivotal misses that cost the team a chance to advance.
At Soldier Field, the Packers appeared in complete control early. Green and gold led 21–3 at halftime, seemingly on track for a dominant victory. But the Bears, fueled by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, mounted a stunning fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 25 points to stun the Packers faithful. Williams, calm under pressure, executed precise passes, including a late go-ahead touchdown that sealed the outcome. Yet, it was McManus’ critical errors that were viewed as the “knockout blows,” turning a commanding lead into a sudden defeat.
Specifically, McManus missed three crucial kicks: a 55-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter, a 44-yard attempt in the fourth when the score was 27–24, and an extra point after a touchdown. The cumulative seven points left on the field were more than enough to reverse the outcome in a game decided by four. “This was the most embarrassing performance of my career,” McManus admitted in the post-game press conference. “I let my teammates down, and I take full responsibility.”
The Packers acted quickly to stabilize the kicking position, re-signing backup kicker Lucas Havrisik from the practice squad on a new contract. Havrisik has been a consistent performer in limited opportunities throughout the season, demonstrating poise on long attempts and reliability under pressure. His signing signals a vote of confidence from the coaching staff in his ability to provide stability for Green Bay’s special teams moving forward.
The move also reflects the broader philosophy of accountability within the organization — mistakes have consequences, but opportunities remain for those ready to seize them.
For Packers fans, McManus’ release and Havrisik’s promotion are both a bitter reminder of playoff heartbreak and a cautiously optimistic signal of change. The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for 2026, rebuilding special teams reliability, and ensuring that the green-and-gold can compete at the highest level when the playoffs return.
