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The Green Bay Packers have made too many mistakes this season. On top of head coach Matt LaFleur’s play-calling, their special teams have been a negative more often than not.
That was the case in their Week 10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Once again, Brandon McManus’ health may have cost the team.
Analyst Zach Jacobson called out the Packers for their questionable kicker decision.
“The Packers have opted against 57- and 59-yard field goal attempts tonight because their active kicker may or may not be healthy enough to make it from that distance, while the franchise record holder for longest field goal is a healthy scratch,” Jacobson wrote on X.
the packers have opted against 57 and 59-yard field goal attempts tonight because their active kicker may or may not be healthy enough to make it from that distance, while the franchise record holder for longest field goal is a healthy scratch
— zach jacobson (@zacobson) November 11, 2025
Lucas Havrisik made a franchise-record 61-yard field goal when he replaced McManus in Week 7. McManus, though a proven veteran, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency this season, while the Packers have someone else available.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is probably on the hot seat by now. That unit has ranked near the bottom of the league every year since he took over in 2023.
There’s no logical reason to use McManus if he isn’t fully healthy. If they don’t feel like he’s able to kick a 57-yard field goal, why not give him more time to heal while Havrisik holds down the job?
This is the type of seemingly minor thing that could end up getting a head coach fired. A team needs to function in all three phases of the game to be considered a contender.
That’s not to say that Havrisik would’ve made a game-tying long field goal. But at least, he would’ve had a better chance than McManus did.
NEXT: Matt LaFleur Speaks Out About Job Security After Tough Loss