Broncos GM Issues Statement After Cutting Last Remaining SB50 Player

On Tuesday morning, the Denver Broncos released kicker Brandon McManus, their longest-tenured player. While some in media, including we at Mile High Huddle, had a feeling McManus would be jettisoned before training camp, the move sent shockwaves throughout Bronco-land.

On the heels of releasing McManus, Broncos GM George Paton issued a statement confirming the move and also tipping his cap to the last member of the team's Super Bowl 50 championship squad.

"Brandon has been a key player and presence with the Broncos for nearly a decade, making outstanding contributions to our team and community," Paton said. "Developing into one of the NFL’s most productive kickers, Brandon made so many clutch 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 all he did for the Broncos, and we wish him and his great family the very best in the future.”

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As our Zack Kelberman wrote earlier Tuesday, the McManus release was designated a post-June 1 transaction to maximize the salary-cap benefits.

The move was declared a post-June 1 release by Denver, which saves $3.75 million against the salary cap, leaving behind $1.231 million in dead money.

Time will tell exactly what the Broncos have in mind at place-kicker, but the McManus era is officially over. Reactions to the move have continued to roll in on Twitter.

The only man left from the 2015 Broncos Super Bowl team is me. Crazy
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) May 23, 2023

Surprise... #BroncosCountry https://t.co/1dCcqabBBZ pic.twitter.com/tZNeC2QdVo
— Scott Kennedy (@ScoutKennedy) May 23, 2023

Waiting until June 1 to cut him saves an additional $1 million toward the cap -- we must be about to sign someone.
— Troy R. Boohr (@Phondonkey) May 23, 2023

After his season last year, I thought it might come prior to the start of free agency. When it didn’t, I thought he was safe.
— Drew Demo (@DrewJDemo) May 23, 2023

Indeed, most teams, if they're going to make such a move, it happens well before May. But whatever ducks the Broncos' new brain trust needed to get in a row must not have fallen into place until now.

The Broncos have a punter and long-snapper rostered, but with OTAs beginning on Tuesday, the team will need to work quickly to get a kicker under contract. A few of the more prominent names of available kickers include the aged Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby, as well as Ryan Succop, all of whom are north of 36 years old.

McManus is 31.

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