Green Bay’s special teams picture needed clarity, and it arrived with a firm voice. After a week of NFL rumors, Matt LaFleur confirmed that Brandon McManus, not Lucas Havrisik, will handle kicking duties in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Havrisik’s brief run featured a perfect record and a franchise-record 61-yard field goal. However, McManus has missed three of seven attempts since returning from injury, including a costly 43-yarder versus Carolina. Even so, LaFleur reiterated his confidence in the veteran kicker and downplayed any notion of an open competition, according to Rob Demovsky.
What’s drawing fresh attention around Green Bay isn’t just the kicker decision; it’s the league-wide debate the Packers were asked to lead. Multiple NFL front office sources told ESPN that the league office essentially recruited Green Bay to formally submit the controversial “tush push” ban proposal. One NFC executive added that the Packers were tapped because they lack a single owner who might object, given their unique public shareholder structure.
An NFL spokesperson declined to comment on the league’s involvement. Then-packers president Mark Murphy neither confirmed nor denied the claim at the time, stating only, “We’re always in touch with the league.” This backdrop adds an interesting twist to Monday night’s matchup with Philadelphia, a team known for employing the “tush push” in short-yardage situations.
From a football standpoint, Green Bay’s calculus is straightforward: stabilize special teams, shorten the field for quarterback Jordan Love, and keep the defense out of sudden-change scenarios—especially against an Eagles team built to win in short yardage.
The kicker decision signals trust in experience for a primetime stage, even though Havrisik’s strong form might have tempted a different approach. It also highlights how thin the margins are when opponents can consistently bully forward for a yard on command.
Post-deadline roster building still looms large. One widely discussed path forward is targeting a proven coverage man to strengthen the secondary. The focus is on signing Asante Samuel Jr. to fortify a cornerback room thinned by injuries and inconsistency.
Samuel Jr.’s versatility to play both inside and outside fits Green Bay’s needs as a potential trade acquisition. His ball skills would complement a defensive front enhanced by recent investments.
If the offense can trade threes for sevens and the defense can force an extra possession, the Packers’ January playoff ambitions remain intact.
While the conversation may have started with kicks and scrums, it ultimately comes down to situational execution: convert key plays, contain threats, and make the high-leverage moves that define a contender’s spine.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-why-packers-were-recruited-drive-tush-push-ban-attempt
