The Denver Broncos kicker position remains a question mark as the team prepare to begin the 2023 season.
With the release of Brandon McManus, Denver’s long time kicker, the door has opened for a new player to take the role. The competition began in Training Camp, between kickers Brett Maher and Elliott Fry. But the competition has not gone according to plan, and all options are now on the table. What are the Broncos’ kicker options in 2023?
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Potential Denver Broncos Kicker Options in 2023
McManus Replaced
On May 23rd 2023, Brandon McManus was released by the Broncos. He played for Denver for nine seasons, and was the last remaining player from the Super Bowl 50 roster.
McManus quickly signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver moved on to a new theoretical kicker. McManus’ field goal percentage had dropped significantly in his last season in Denver, from 84% to 78%. He reached above 85% three seasons in his career, and his last season was his third lowest kicking percentage.
McManus also turned 32 years old this season, and was obviously not a part of the new coaching staff’s future plans.
Brett Maher vs Elliott Fry
Two new players were signed by the Broncos to compete to replace McManus: former New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher and former Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Elliott Fry.
Maher is remembered for his four missed extra points in the playoff game for Dallas during the 2022 postseason. Fry is a journeyman who has been on eleven different NFL rosters.
In their first preseason game for the Broncos, Maher missed a field goal and had one field goal blocked. Fry missed a field goal and made a 55-yard field goal. Due to an injury, Fry was released days after the game. This leaves Maher as the only kicker on the depth chart, and potentially the starter for the team at that position.
Brett Maher’s FOURTH missed extra point tonight pic.twitter.com/LVtJHjeVWh
— PFF (@PFF) January 17, 2023
Free Agents
There are more kicker options for Denver than just Maher. With only one preseason game in the books, there is still time to audition more players for the job.
The special teams coaching staff cannot be happy with Maher’s performance against the Cardinals. Many veteran kickers remain unsigned, and could fill a need for the Broncos.
Kicker Robbie Gould remains without a team, and had many successful years with the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. Mason Crosby is a seasoned veteran who spent many seasons kicking for the Green Bay Packers. Other top names include Ryan Succop and Randy Bullock.
Denver Broncos Kicker Options in 2023: Conclusion
Although Maher is the only kicker on Denver’s roster, their search for a kicker may not be over.
With McManus gone and Fry released, the Broncos may not sit quietly while a veteran kicker misses preseason field goals. Unless Maher can right the ship, expect Denver to bring in other kickers for competition during Training Camp.
This could include undrafted rookies, veteran free agents, or perhaps kickers released from other teams. Gould is a solid option at kicker, and should draw some attention. Whatever the Broncos choose to do, they had better do it soon; the 2023 season is about to begin.
Brett Maher is the Broncos’ starting kicker… for now 👀 pic.twitter.com/Tw6sJEiHWC
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) August 15, 2023
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
