Payton: Cutting McManus 'In Best Interest' of Broncos

Resolution on the kicking front.

There was nothing personal that went into the Denver Broncos' surprisingly-timed decision to release kicker Brandon McManus.

Just business.

“Ultimately, you’re constantly looking at what’s in the best interest for your team," head coach Sean Payton said Thursday following Organized Team Activities. "A lot of the time, money and what your ‘musts’ are come into it. You guys know this better than anyone—the transactions continue here from now until training camp. There may be a player of two that we are still looking to sign. We factored a lot of that in and then we made that decision.”

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Translation: the Broncos deemed McManus too expensive and, thus, expendable. And the $3.75 million they saved from his departure could be better allocated elsewhere. The only mystery is to whom it will be allocated.

McManus was Denver's placekicker since 2014, converting 223 of 274 field goal attempts (81.4%) and 277 of 286 extra-point tries (96.9%) across 144 appearances. However, the NFL stands for "Not For Long," and the artist formerly known as "McMoney" is coming off a down 2022 campaign in which he missed eight FGs — including five from 50-plus yards — and two XPs.

Payton evidently felt McManus' production was no longer matching his salary, which made him among the league's highest-paid kickers. Hence, the pink slip.

But don't fret for McManus, who landed on his feet quickly, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, roughly 48 hours after being cut.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have welcomed an open competition to replace McManus, working out free agents Brett Maher, Elliott Fry, and Parker White. Maher is considered the tentative favorite due to familiarity with Payton, his coach in New Orleans in 2021.

The beat marches on.

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