Green Bay Packers Kicker Lucas Havrisik Makes His Contract Demands Clear
Posted February 25, 2026
Green Bay, WI – After emerging as a reliable backup option in 2025, Green Bay Packers kicker Lucas Havrisik heads into the offseason with an increasingly firm position and clear contract demands for his next deal.
From a practice squad player and reserve/future contract signee, Havrisik has proved his worth by stepping in for the injured Brandon McManus, becoming one of the most promising backup kickers in the league. His ability to make accurate kicks from long distances and stay calm under pressure has elevated his value on the market.
NFL evaluators have rated Havrisik as one of the most promising young kickers with potential for a long-term starting role, especially due to his strong leg and high accuracy in a small but impressive sample size.
Market Projection for 2026 Free Agency
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Projected Total Value: Around $12–15 million for 3–4 years
Estimated AAV: Approximately $3.5–4 million per year
Salary Ranking: He could rank in the top 15–20 highest-paid kickers in the NFL if he secures a starting role
These figures reflect the kicker market in 2026, where kickers with accuracy beyond 50 yards and durability are highly valued, even though the position typically doesn't "explode" like skill positions.
Factors Driving His Value
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Breakout Moments: In 3 games played in 2025, Havrisik made 4/4 field goals (including a 61-yard kick, a Packers franchise record at the time) and 7/9 extra points, totaling 19 points. He showcased his strong leg (61-yard long) and perfect accuracy on field goals, though he missed 2 extra points in windy conditions against the Giants.
Rapid Ascent: From undrafted free agent (Colts, 2022), to practice squad stints with multiple teams, to signing a reserve/future contract with the Packers in January 2026, Havrisik has quickly positioned himself as a contender for the starting role, should McManus (with his high cap hit and subpar performance in late 2025) be cut or traded.
Contract Demand Below Market
Although the market could push him to a $4 million+ AAV if free agency opens, Havrisik is reportedly seeking a more modest deal: about $10–12 million over 3 years (AAV ~$3.3–4 million per year).
This is still a significant jump from his current reserve/future $1.075 million deal for 2026, but it shows that he prioritizes staying in Green Bay to compete and develop within the Packers’ system, where he has had positive experiences (such as his 61-yard field goal and receiving a game ball). Accepting a deal below market could help the Packers maintain cap space flexibility, avoiding a bidding war with other teams in need of a kicker.
Outlook
Negotiations are expected to heat up as free agency progresses, with the kicker position being one of the Packers’ key decisions for their front office (especially if they choose to move on from McManus and his $5.3 million cap hit).
If both parties come to terms on this friendly deal, Green Bay could lock in a young, accurate kicker with long-term potential at a reasonable cost, while maintaining stability in the special teams unit — a position often pivotal in close playoff games.
As of now (March 11, 2026), Havrisik is still under contract on a reserve/future deal with the Packers, and the competition with McManus will be a central point in training camp. There is no indication that he will hit free agency early, but if an extension isn’t reached, he could test the market after 2026 (ERFA in 2027).
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