Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles was full of missed opportunities. The Green Bay Packers left points on the field with unsuccessful fourth-down conversions and a fumble by Jordan Love. But it was a special teams decision that ruined any hopes of a win, as Green Bay's kicker controversy continues.
Kicker Brandon McManus hasn't been the same since suffering an injury in Week 4. After sitting out two games following Green Bay's bye, his return has been lackluster, missing two kicks against the Pittsburgh Steelers and one in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers. On Monday, he attempted just one field goal, a miss from 64 yards that would've tied the game as time expired.
Given the moments he's had with the team since joining last season, including a game-winner against the Washington Commanders in his first start as a Packer, it felt like he had earned some leeway. But as the misses continue, and with a proven alternate kicker on the sideline, it's getting increasingly difficult to accept that McManus is the best choice for the team right now.
Packers continue to make a questionable decision with Brandon McManus
Lucas Havrisik stepped in during the veteran kicker's absence, succeeding in all four of his field goal attempts, including one from 61 yards, which became the franchise record.
Having given the team no reason to doubt him so far, the benching of Havrisik for McManus, who is clearly not at 100 percent, is puzzling.
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Monday night's game featured a huge missed opportunity in the kicking game, with the Packers opting to punt from the Eagles' 40-yard line instead of sending McManus out for a 53-yarder. At the time, a field goal would have tied the game with just under 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Eagles scored a touchdown four plays later.
If the reason for the punt was a lack of trust in McManus, this moment should act as a wake-up call for the Packers, forcing them to question why they aren't starting Havrisik, a kicker who has proved himself capable of kicking from long range.
With their losses being decided by such slim margins, Green Bay can't afford any unnecessary risks on special teams. Choosing to send out an aging kicker with a recent injury over the franchise record holder will only hold the team back in pivotal moments over the next few months.