Million-dollar contracts and intense scrutiny go hand in hand! One such individual who found himself at the crossroads is none other than Brandon McManus. The veteran kicker’s recent release from the Washington Commanders has sent shockwaves through the league, not just for the allegations surrounding him but also for the substantial $1.5 million payout he’s reportedly set to receive.

The Commanders didn’t mince words when they announced McManus’s departure via X, stating, “We have released K Brandon McManus.” This terse statement came on the heels of Adam Schefter’s tweet, which shed light on the situation: “Commanders are releasing kicker Brandon McManus, who is being accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed last month. Commanders continue OTAs on Monday and they do so without currently having a kicker on their roster.”

Despite all the controversy around his release, McManus will still keep a decent $1.5 million. Commanders put pen to paper on a $3.6 million one-year contract on March 14, 2024, with the kicker. This amount included $1,500,000 signing bonus, $1,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,600,000. The release from Dan Quinn-led Commanders still ensures a good portion of his contract for McManus.

Before ending up at the Commanders, McManus had created an impressive career for himself. He played nine seasons with the Denver Broncos, as a reliable kicker. This was after leaving Temple University in 2013. He had 30 successful field goals out of 37 attempts with the Broncos and scored on all 80 extra-point conversions. Jacksonville Jaguars signed McManus as a free agent in 2023, but then he performed well by making all his extra points and assisting the Jaguars’ special units greatly.

Unfortunately, his recent stint with the nation’s capital has been short-lived and he has found himself surrounded by serious allegations, smudging his brilliant NFL career. This unexpected setback occurred when two air hostesses filed a lawsuit in Florida against him for inappropriate behavior which they say happened aboard from Jacksonville to London last year.

The lawsuit alleges that McManus made advances at one attendant trying to kiss her and “grinded up against her twice” while also accusing him of similar conduct towards the second attendant, according to ESPN. These claims have been vehemently denied by McManus’ attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, who said: “absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player.”

Undoubtedly, McManus’ reputation has already been damaged. Under head coach Dan Quinn’s watchful eye, the Commanders dropped their kicker and are now without a specialist as they prepare for the forthcoming season. The case of McManus also shows how complex player contracts can be and what could happen when teams find themselves in a position to make hard decisions. While the decision is still pending, the player has strongly denied all accusations

Brandon McManus “aggressively” denies the serious allegations

With the sexual assault claims hanging over Brandon McManus, the NFL world has once again been surrounded by scrutiny. While the allegations against the football player are quite serious, the lawsuit has also claimed that the Jaguars team was negligent in supervising McManus and creating a safe atmosphere for their team employees working with the team.

Currently, the two women are demanding a jury trial and seeking $ 1 million, according to ESPN. However, McManus has denied these accusations through his lawyer who said, “We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are – an extortion attempt.”

Meanwhile, the Jaguars have also come forth with their statement, claiming that they are looking into the allegations. The team mentioned, “It bears emphasizing that we insist on an organization built by people who represent our community and game with the highest character and class.”

While it is yet to see how things will eventually unfold for the NFL professional, it is salient to note that the NFL doesn’t take misconduct lightly. Recently, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for 11 games after over two dozen women accused him of engaging in sexual misconduct.