Grading the Commanders' first seven signings in 2024 free agency
By Dean Jones
Commanders signed Brandon McManus
When Ron Rivera was fired as expected following his fourth-straight losing season, those players who were closely associated with the head coach also faced the chop. This proved to be the case for kicker Joey Slye, who was replaced at the first opportunity by general manager Adam Peters soon after the legal tampering period got underway.
The Washington Commanders agreed to terms with Brandon McManus on a one-year deal. He boasts an 81.4 percent field-goal success rate over his 10-year career, most of which was spent on the Denver Broncos before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023.
McManus benefitted from the high altitude in Denver for almost a decade. This is notoriously easier for kickers and allows them to make kicks much further than their usual distance limits. His consistency is a plus, but missing so many field goals from deep with the Jaguars last season - converting only 50 percent of efforts from 50 yards or further - is a potential complication.
Grade: C
Hopefully, the Commanders can get another year out of McManus and take it from there. One could argue that Rivera was far too loyal to Slye despite his constant failings. If the new addition struggles, there's a high chance Peters and head coach Dan Quinn won't be so lenient.