The Green Bay Packers are preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon for their Week Nine matchup of the 2025 NFL season. At 5-1-1, Green Bay is at the top of both the NFC North and NFC in general, and are winners of three consecutive games. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 4-4 but have won three of their past four games.
While Green Bay won their Sunday Night Football matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, it was far from a perfect game. Specifically, kicker Brandon McManus missed two field goal attempts in the first half in what was his first game back from a leg injury that had sidelined him for a couple of weeks.
During McManus’ absence, the Packers relied on Lucas Havrisik (who was ready to take a job as a substitute teacher before Green Bay called), and many fans would prefer if Green Bay continued on with him as their kicker as opposed to McManus.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur says he does not talk to kickers
Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus (17) offers encouragement to a child participating in a field goal contest during Family Night on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
In the two games Havrisik played for the Packers while McManus was out, he made all four of his field goal attempts, including a franchise record 61-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals.
When McManus missed those first two field goal attempts against Pittsburgh, many fans wondered if his injury was still bothering him. The long-time veteran has been practicing this week, but head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters he does not know how his kicker is feeling because, “I didn’t ask him how he felt. I don’t talk to kickers. I would assume he felt OK.”
And Packers fans thought this response was hilarious:
Matt LeFleur is team #BanKickers and my favorite HC https://t.co/uDSr1Wgvy2
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) October 30, 2025
“I don’t talk to kickers” is a bar 😂 https://t.co/S51FpGC3mB
— Lou Malnourished 🍕 (@Ferd_Turgeson) October 30, 2025
“I don’t talk to kickers” 😂😂 https://t.co/D9YHfM62FM
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) October 30, 2025
Find someone that loves you as much as Matt LaFleur hates kickers https://t.co/szaG8Aui4e
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) October 30, 2025
As McManus has been practicing all week, it is likely that he will kick for Green Bay on Sunday. However, it is noteworthy that they have not yet released Havrisik, so it is possible that the Packers are not entirely comfortable with McManus being their only kicker.
Packers upcoming schedule
November 2: vs Carolina Panthers
November 10: vs Philadelphia Eagles
November 16: at New York Giants
November 23: vs Minnesota Vikings
November 27: at Detroit Lions
December 7: vs Chicago Bears
December 14: at Denver Broncos
December 20: at Chicago Bears
Week 17: vs Baltimore Ravens (date and time TBD)
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings (date and time TBD)
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!