Matt Prater released by Denver Broncos

This is a bombshell. Per a source close to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos are cutting ties with kicker Matt Prater, who was the best player at the position last season after nailing 25 of 26 attempts, including six of seven tries from at least 50 yards out. Prater was close to coming off of a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, and it seemed like his spot was guaranteed. However, Schefter reports that the Broncos are actually saying that Brandon McManus has won the Broncos kicking “job”, and this is all very perplexing indeed.

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McManus hasn’t missed a kick this year, but he hasn’t exactly been tested either, nailing all three of field goals and eight of eight extra points. The thing is, all of those field goals have been in the 20-29-yard range, though he has impressed with 14 touchbacks. It isn’t hard to boom kick-offs when playing in Denver’s thin air, but Prater is one of the best in the league regardless of where he plays. Evidently, McManus also has strong leg, though his only road game came in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks (four touchbacks, equaling his Week 2 total, and he had six TBs in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts).

It will be interesting to see what happens to Prater, because I’m sure many people aren’t convinced that the Broncos released him because they believe McManus is the better option. Set to make $6.25 million over the next two seasons, maybe cost was a factor here. It’s an interesting situation worth monitoring, but it’s still a shock to see that the Broncos have cut ties with Prater, who was set to return soon and seemed to be a lock to take his job back.

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