Pros and Cons of Lions Signing K Brandon McManus

The Detroit Lions have a kicker competition brewing, as they enter phase three of the NFL offseason.

Michael Badgley and John Parker Romo are set to battle at the position throughout the offseason.

The returning winner is Badgley, who was reliable last season. Romo, meanwhile, is looking to prove that his standout season in the XFL this spring was no fluke.

Detroit has been looking for stability at kicker since Matt Prater left the organization prior to the 2021 season. While either of the current candidates could provide it, newly released Brandon McManus could also be the answer for the Lions.

The former Denver Broncos kicker announced Tuesday that he had been released, ahead of the start of organized team activities.

He's the latest in a string of veteran kickers available this offseason, which also includes Mason Crosby and Robbie Gould. In his nine-year tenure with Denver, McManus was 223-of-274 on field-goal attempts.

On attempts of 50-plus yards, he's 40-of-72 in his career. He posted an eight-for-13 mark on kicks of that distance last season.

Inside of 50, though, he's proven to be consistent. Over the past five seasons, he's 43-of-45 on attempts between 40 and 49 yards. He was the last remaining member of Denver's 2015 Super Bowl championship team.

Since Prater departed Detroit, the Lions have struggled to find a reliable kicker. Head coach Dan Campbell used four kickers in 2021 and three in 2022.

Badgley was consistent last season, making a total of 24-of-28 field goals between the Bears and Lions. He joined Detroit in Week 5, and hit 20-of-24 attempts.

He was two-of-three on kicks beyond 50 yards, with a long of 53, which matched his longest kick since his rookie season when he nailed a 59-yarder.

The competition between Badgley and Romo was already shaping up to be a close one. McManus, based on experience and merit, would be the top option of the three.

Because of his proven prowess, he merits at least consideration. He'll likely have a long list of suitors, so quick action would be required to secure his services.

Given his resume, it's worthwhile for the Lions to pursue the kicker. This would likely mean one of either Badgley or Romo would have to be released to make room on the roster.

Detroit took a chance on a former Broncos kicker once before, when Prater was released in 2014. That move worked out with flying colors, as he became the team's kicker for the next seven seasons.

Ironically, his replacement in Denver could wind up being the answer in Detroit.