ENGLEWOOD, Colorado — Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus, the last remaining player from the team’s Super Bowl 50 championship roster, was released by the team Tuesday.
McManus announced the move on social media, followed shortly after by the team’s official announcement.
Several players told ESPN Tuesday morning as they prepared for the team’s first OTA practice session that they had reached out to McManus, who said in a Twitter post that “more will follow in the coming days.”
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“Brandon has been a major player and presence with the Broncos for nearly a decade, making outstanding contributions to our team and community,” Broncos general manager George Paton said in a statement. “Brandon has grown into one of the most prolific kickers in the NFL, making so many 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 everything he has done for the Broncos, and we wish him and his amazing family all the best in the future.”
After years of changes throughout the roster and coaching staff since the organization’s third Super Bowl win to wrap up the 2015 season, 31-year-old McManus – who will turn 32 at the end of July – was the only player left on the roster to play in played on this team.
That playoff run may also have been the highlight of McManus’ time with the Broncos, as he had 10 of 10 field goal attempts in three postseason games, including 5 of 5 on attempts for 40 yards or more. He had three of three field goals in the Broncos’ 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
The Broncos have not made the playoffs in seven years since that title win, and Sean Payton was hired as the fourth head coach earlier this year since Gary Kubiak stepped down after the 2016 season. Linebacker Von Miller, one of McManus’ closest friends and godfather to one of McManus’ children, and McManus were the only players left on the Super Bowl team when Miller joined the Los Angeles Rams for the 2021 season.
We released K Brandon McManus.
A #SB50 champion, team captain and second-top scorer in Broncos history.
Thank you for everything you gave to #BroncosCountry @thekidmcmanus. 🧡
📰 » https://t.co/6xGdwQGpW6 pic.twitter.com/fvT7bnx9Bb
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 23, 2023
McManus had 28 of 36 (77.8%) field goal attempts last season, his first year since 2017 in which he made less than 80% of his field goal attempts. He wasn’t the only one to have some troubles, as the Broncos ended the year on offense with the lowest scoring in the league.
McManus had two years left on a four-year extension he signed in 2020 and was scheduled to count $4.98 million toward the salary cap. McManus is the vice president of the NFL Players Association and a member of the organization’s board of directors.
His McManus Foundation project was active in the Denver community during his time on the team.
The Broncos acquired McManus in a deal with the New York Giants in 2014 when Matt Prater was suspended for four games earlier that season. Prater was released later that year and McManus has been the Broncos’ kicker ever since. He is the second-top scorer in the franchise behind fellow foosball player Jason Elam.
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