Broncos GM Issues Statement After Cutting Last Remaining SB50 Player
On Tuesday morning, the Denver Broncos released kicker Brandon McManus, their longest-tenured player. While some in media, including we at Mile High Huddle, had a feeling McManus would be jettisoned before training camp, the move sent shockwaves throughout Bronco-land.
On the heels of releasing McManus, Broncos GM George Paton issued a statement confirming the move and also tipping his cap to the last member of the team's Super Bowl 50 championship squad.
"Brandon has been a key player and presence with the Broncos for nearly a decade, making outstanding contributions to our team and community," Paton said. "Developing into one of the NFL’s most productive kickers, Brandon made so many clutch kicks for this franchise over the years as a Super Bowl champion and team captain. He will always hold a special place in Denver Broncos history. We thank Brandon for all he did for the Broncos, and we wish him and his great family the very best in the future.”
As our Zack Kelberman wrote earlier Tuesday, the McManus release was designated a post-June 1 transaction to maximize the salary-cap benefits.
The move was declared a post-June 1 release by Denver, which saves $3.75 million against the salary cap, leaving behind $1.231 million in dead money.
Time will tell exactly what the Broncos have in mind at place-kicker, but the McManus era is officially over. Reactions to the move have continued to roll in on Twitter.
Indeed, most teams, if they're going to make such a move, it happens well before May. But whatever ducks the Broncos' new brain trust needed to get in a row must not have fallen into place until now.
The Broncos have a punter and long-snapper rostered, but with OTAs beginning on Tuesday, the team will need to work quickly to get a kicker under contract. A few of the more prominent names of available kickers include the aged Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby, as well as Ryan Succop, all of whom are north of 36 years old.
McManus is 31.
Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!