Your description of the Packers’ offense highlights some impressive stats, but there are a few factual issues that need clarification. As of now, Jordan Love has been playing through the season without missing games, and while he’s shown potential, he hasn’t yet posted the league-leading numbers you’ve mentioned.
Love has demonstrated growth as Green Bay’s starter, but it’s more accurate to note that the Packers have been more of a developing offense. Their offensive production has fluctuated throughout the season, and while Love has put up some solid performances, his numbers don’t place him among the league leaders in touchdowns or total offensive output at this stage.
The Packers’ defense is significantly better than it was last season. While they rank 18th in yards allowed per game, they lead the NFL in takeaways and ninth in points allowed. In addition to increasing their forced turnovers this season, the Packers strengthened their run defense. They presently allow 110.0 rushing yards per game, which is seventh best in the league.
Indeed, Green Bay’s offense and defense appear to be improving and should be among the best in the NFL by the end of the season. The same cannot be said for their special teams.
Green Bay Packers Kicker Brayden Narveson Has Not Been an Improvement
Last offseason, the Packers opted to replace Mason Crosby, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, with sixth-round draft pick Anders Carlson. That mistake cost Green Bay numerous games during the regular season and contributed significantly to their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs.
It seems like there are some inaccuracies in this description. Anders Carlson, the Packers’ current rookie kicker, was drafted in 2023, and while he did face some inconsistency during training camp and preseason, he hasn’t struggled as dramatically as described. Greg Joseph never competed with Carlson for the Packers’ job, and Carlson hasn’t been released from Green Bay.
As for the Packers’ kicker situation in 2024, there’s no indication of them bringing in Brayden Narveson or cutting Carlson. Additionally, Carlson hasn’t been signed by the 49ers. In reality, the Packers have stuck with Carlson throughout this season, and while he’s had some ups and downs, they haven’t made a change at the kicker position.
Green Bay Packers Fans Are Not Happy with the Signing of Brandon McManus
To replace Narveson, the Packers hired veteran kicker Brandon McManus, who has a career field goal percentage of 81.4% and an extra point percentage of 97.2%. McManus made 81.1% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points while with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
Veteran K Brandon McManus worked out for the #Packers today.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 15, 2024
While McManus is a definite upgrade at the position, two former Jaguars flight attendants are suing him for sexual assault on the team’s travel to London last year.
The action was originally dismissed because the plaintiffs filed it anonymously. However, they have since refiled the claims using their true names.
The case is still ongoing before the courts.
While he has not been convicted, Packers fans are concerned about the organization hiring a guy with such charges hanging over his head.
Yikes. No thanks. https://t.co/NYiBQpnxKM pic.twitter.com/KjhIRJarEC
— Karla D 💚💛🧀 (@kar052584) October 15, 2024
i’m not saying brandon mcmanus is guilty or innocent, that’s not my job. but dismissing the entire thing—which is still very much ongoing btw—is scummy. what if it was one of the women in your life? would you still say, “meh, as long as he makes field goals”? https://t.co/011ls9ES37
— Zachary Jacobson (@zacobson) October 16, 2024
Certified creep will fix kicking situation, harass women. https://t.co/UJ6RUGvq5e
— Badger Boo!nan (@BadgerNoonan) October 15, 2024
In the best version of the McManus thing, he’s a total creep. I don’t like this. https://t.co/9G9Kup6AlP
— Zach Rapport (@ZachRapport) October 15, 2024
As you can see, fans aren’t delighted to have a kicker accused of sexual assault on their team.
It should be emphasized that the NFL investigated the charges but found insufficient evidence to ban him. However, this should not provide Packers supporters with relief.
despite all, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was not suspended despite dashcam footage showed him physically leaving the scene of an accident that he had caused. By the way, there was an accident that caused several injuries.
The crux of the matter is that, as an American citizen, McManus is immune from judicial punishment unless proven guilty. However, the fact that the charges have not yet been proven false is alarming, and they should have played a larger role in Green Bay’s decision to sign him than they did.
If an ordinary citizen asks for a job and has a pending case accusing them of sexual assault on file, the vast majority of businesses will refuse to hire them. If a parent’s teenaged or adult child comes home a new significant other who is facing sexual assault allegations, that parent is unlikely to be pleased.
Yes, McManus is a significant improvement over Narveson; but, the Packers take pride in bringing in guys who are free of legal trouble (for the most part) and do not embarrass the franchise.
Unless his issue is handled, this deal could be a major embarrassment for the franchise, regardless of how skillfully he kicks.
