Packers veteran stuns the locker room by rejecting IR and slashing his own salary just to keep battling for Green Bay.QQ
As the Green Bay Packers continue their late season surge toward a potential playoff berth, an under the radar story has been unfolding behind the scenes, one that has nothing to do with Jordan Love or the surging defense.
It is the story of one man, one leg, and one decision that challenges everything the modern NFL expects.
Brandon McManus, Super Bowl champion and veteran kicker, has reportedly refused medical recommendations to rest after suffering a lingering quad injury. Despite the risk, McManus has asked to reduce his training load and voluntarily give up part of his performance bonus just to stay on the field every week, as long as he can still stand.
“I’m not here to sit on the sidelines and cash checks. I’m here to contribute. Every kick is a promise to Green Bay,” McManus reportedly told his teammates during a private team meeting on Wednesday.
🧊 More Than Just a Kicker
Even though he has been with the Packers for less than a year, McManus has already become one of the most respected voices in the locker room. He has been mentoring rookies on discipline, routine, and the culture of Lambeau Field. And even while kicking through pain, McManus has maintained a record of 14 successful field goals out of 16 attempts, including a clutch game winner against the New York Giants.
“I have kicked through blizzards in Denver. I am not afraid of the cold, I am not afraid of pain. I am afraid of not being on that field,” McManus said after a closed practice.
⚠️ Loyalty or Liability
While McManus’s dedication has earned admiration across the fanbase and locker room, some analysts question whether keeping him active is a risk the Packers can afford, especially with three straight divisional games approaching where every single point matters.
Names like James Turner and Lucas Havrisik have been mentioned as possible emergency options, but Head Coach Matt LaFleur has made his opinion clear.
“When a guy is willing to push through pain just to kick for this team, you do not replace him with statistics. You let him lead.”
