Destined for Special Teams Mediocrity
It's never been the Packers' strong suit
By GregMeinholz
Seat warmers have become a standard feature in many vehicles today. I rarely turn mine on in one of my vehicles despite having the luxury. However, the newest vehicle I own features a coveted automatic start, which automatically activates the seat warmers in low temperatures. I tend to forget it's on until I begin to feel the seat heating up underneath me. Personally, I'm not a fan; it's an uncomfortable feeling, and I tend to switch it off as soon as I feel it. After two straight games with special teams failures, many of us would like to assume Green Bay Packers' Special Teams Coordinator, Rich Bisaccia's seat warmer has been switched on and he's doing what he can to escape the uncomfortable feeling. But the feeling is all too familiar for Packers' fans year in and year out.
A blocked field goal attempt used to be an anomaly for the Packers. Something that happened once per season, if that. Four weeks into the 2025 season, the Packers now have two against them in two straight games. On the extra point attempt against Dallas that Juanyeh Thomas blocked and Dallas returned for two points, you see Thomas quickly take advantage of a large hole on the right side of the Packers' kick protection. That's some elite awareness and reaction by Thomas, right? Not so fast. Going back and watching the first extra point attempt earlier in the game, you see Thomas get free almost just as quickly, but it's as if he's surprised by it, so he doesn't take advantage. He made sure to do so on his next opportunity.
Upon review, it seems Luke Musgrave on the right side misses his assignment on both tries, leading to Thomas' easy path to the kicker. Musgrave was replaced by Karl Brooks following the block, so it's safe to assume the coaching staff spotted this as well. It begs the question, however, if we at home spot this on the first attempt, why didn't coach Bisaccia and his staff spot it on their tablets in real time and adjust to it before that second attempt? An easy scapegoat could be that they did, in fact, see it and coached Musgrave on it, but he just failed to properly adjust on the next try. But given how nearly identical Musgrave's actions are in both plays, that seems unlikely.
Rich Bisaccia was brought to the Packers as a special teams savior following a six-year slump where, under three different coordinators, the Packers never had a better special teams ranking than 24th. Outside of that number 24 ranking, they averaged a 30th-31st ranking each year. In the three years following Bisaccia's arrival, they've never been better than 26th, and have averaged a position of 28th. It might be an improvement by averages, but it's still abysmal for a coach that's held in such high regard.
Some say that Bisaccia is more regarded as an assistant head coach than as a special teams coordinator. Well, if that's the case, perhaps minimizing his role should be considered, and full control of special teams should be shared with another coach. This team deserves better than to have their kicking protection or coverage be a thorn in their side.
Strength over Weakness
Dating back to 2013, the Packers have never had better than a 14th-place special teams ranking. That was in 2015 under Ron Zook, who would in the following seasons go on to rank 32nd in 2016, 30th in 2017, and 32nd again in 2018, before Zook was relieved of his duties. On average, since 2013, the Packers have ranked around 28th in special teams.
Is that it? Is it our penance to have mediocre special teams to make up for having elite quarterback play the last thirty years? The Packers were the first and only team to have a Super Bowl MVP on special teams with Desmond Howard. We've had a handful of Pro Bowlers on special teams as well. But the squad overall never seems to reach a high standard.
Two years ago, the Packers seemed to be a good kicker away from at least tying the game for a shot at advancing to the NFC Championship. But Anders Carlson missed one of his attempts, and the Packers lost to San Francisco by three points. The week before that, Carlson had seven extra-point attempts. He made six. Luckily, this wasn't a factor in the game, but Carlson's inconsistency cost him his job the following season. Midway through 2024, the Packers brought in Brandon McManus to solve their kicker woes, and solve them it did. Entering 2025, McManus had an excellent camp, and many Packers fans were gushing over not having to worry about a kicker for the first time in two years.
But this year, we have more issues. Punt returns seemed doomed with inconsistencies from week 1. In week 2, kick coverage issues were showing their ugly head with returners seeing some holes to pick up good field position. And now, we have blocked kicks and seemingly a lack of knowledge on the new kickoff rules. It's frustrating, and things have to change.
Some call it a Rich Bisaccia issue, some call it a Matt LaFleur issue, but regardless of who is at fault, something has to give before the 2025 Packers end up with yet another bottom-5 ranked special teams group. They have the specialists and talent to be a great squad; it's time to use the bye week to find out what has gone wrong and how to fix it. This squad could turn from a weakness to a strength very quickly.
A few seat warmers may be turned on at a low setting at 1265 Lombardi Ave, but there is plenty of time to change that, so this season doesn't become another on the long list of Packers special teams blunders.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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Comments (25)
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 03:15 pm
It falls on MLF.
You have want to be special teamer.
The blocks game from the same spot …back to back weeks . What will that look like
Iike in a few months. Will find out..
You can’t lose those games …
Division games will be huge down the stretch
We had to go 80 yards almost every series in Dallas. Would be nice to get to the 35. That changes the playing calling..
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 03:20 pm
One step further when New England winning Super Bowl always had good special teams
Rogers era. Worst special teams. Caused the.49 ers block punt game. Etc Etc
Cost us Super Bowl chance
I guess Bill would steal signs and video tape. I think he won most that way.
I’m waiting for the 60 minutes show in 25 years on how much they videotape etc. to win….or net flex series
EricTorkelson
October 01, 2025 at 03:33 pm
The 49s blocked Packer short field goal attempt right before halftime in that freezing cold playoff game would have made it 10 zip
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 05:39 pm
Yup
I seen that first hand. No pun intended
EricTorkelson
October 01, 2025 at 03:37 pm
The Good, McManus is a legitimate kicker
The Bad, McManus gets his kicks blocked
The Ugly, McManus leads the team in tackling on kickoff returns
Lphill
October 01, 2025 at 03:44 pm
are any sports writers in Green Bay pressing MLF on if he has any changes coming for Special teams?
Coldworld
October 02, 2025 at 09:37 am
lol. Are there any accredited journalists that have ever really pressured the Packers coach, GM or President in years. They know what it takes to stay accredited in GB.
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 04:00 pm
If I was the fab 3 on special teams that just got new contract and kicks being blocked I would be pissed.
Mc kicker. Mc holder. Mc snapper
Lots of money in the group. And they are getting hosed
I might say falls ALL ON MLF. and maybe Luke needs to help more out on the the o line..
MLf called a time out last year to give the Bears a win….
TheBigCat
October 01, 2025 at 04:05 pm
The easy answer is to fire everyone and start over; however, that's an exercise in insanity (Doing the same over and hoping for a different result). I think there are least five things to consider:
1. Does the organization/HC/GM have buy-in that ST are as important as the defense and offense. Establish a culture that those ST positions are as important as the QB.
2. Have coachable players. When Packers lost to Seahawks, the ST coach told the Packers the "if your name is not Hyde or Nelson, do not touch the ball." Brian Bostick is a highlight reel, for all the wrong reasons.
3. Coach 'em up; identify weaknesses. Again, when Packers lost to Seahawks, Pete Carroll knew from film that Brad Jones would "cheat" and cut inside on FGs and extra points. He exploited that on the fake FG. McCarthy, on the other hand, during his pre-game self-evaluation, did not see it.
4. Put the right players in the right places to succeed. Did MLF have best blockers on the line w/ the Cowboys?
5. Practice as it's important. Because it is.
As Dr. Evil would say "It's pretty standard, really"
JQ
October 01, 2025 at 05:29 pm
Bring Back Nolan Cromwell!
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 05:43 pm
They talked a few years ago after 49 ers loss that we need to have starters out on special teams.
I don’t know if that is applied .
Well guess at least we had 11 players on the field last two games.
49ers game at home for the block punt we had 10 on the field
CanPackFan
October 01, 2025 at 05:53 pm
Well, the bar certainly can't be set low enough for GB STs. Who in their right mind puts Musgrave out to specifically block? He's proven he's not a blocking TE at the best of times. It's one thing to say that LaFleur doesn't concentrate on STs - but it's at least 20- 25% of all downs played! A good coach can't afford to ignore them! A good coach can't continually ignore a CLEAR weakness that every team knows and exploits. LaFleur will never be a serious COTY candidate until he can overcome his significant coaching deficiencies.
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 06:16 pm
Packers
Last 50 years won the 5th most games
Last 45 years won the 4th most games
Last 40 years won the 2nd most games
Last 35 years won the 2nd most games
Last 30 years won the 2nd most games
Last 20 years won the 3rd most games
Last 15 years won the 3rd most games
Last 10 years won the 5th most games
Last 5 years won 4th most games
How many super bowls 30. 20. 15 years.
Desmond Howard good speical teams. We win. Game changers. We have enough guys/speed on this team to be game changers.
Alan Rosuum back in the day got rid of him.
I don’t want to see Nixon back there. ,but maybe he can help with his skills for a new guy
At least with Nixon back there you got excited.
Snap the ball
October 01, 2025 at 06:26 pm
Just no mistakes on special teams we are 4-0
Oh well
Win the tuff games
And run over some of these other teams coming up
splitpea1
October 01, 2025 at 08:04 pm
First off, the obligatory philosophical goop: destiny is a choice. Secondly, the Packers did fix the specialist/battery parts; it's just everything else that needs attention.
The best way to improve your special teams is to hire a head coach with a defensive or special teams background; good examples include Belichick and John Harbaugh, who always had or have very competent units. But we don't have that, and they are rarities in Packers history. So the only logical suggestion you can make is that the current regime make an ironclad commitment not only to fix the mistakes, but turn the unit into a strength, even if it means taking time away from other things. You notice, for example, that the Eagles have been quite adept lately at blocking punts and kicks which have ultimately provided margins of victory in their past two games.
Come on, this has gone on long enough. Make that commitment--the mindset works if you are determined to achieve the goal.
BAMABADGER
October 01, 2025 at 08:07 pm
Rich has to go.
TXCHEESE
October 02, 2025 at 08:44 am
I'm having a really hard time believing Bisaccia is the answer. He was the one that insisted on drafting Carlson, and put the Packers in PK hell for 2 seasons. Gute bailed his butt out by going after and getting McManus.
His kick coverage units, not punt coverage necessarily, have been poor since he's been here, it seems every other return is backed up by a blocking infraction. He may be a good teacher, but not a good coach. A good coach demands performance and accountability. If he was such a great assistant head coach, why is time management such an ongoing issue with MLF. Isn't that what Bisaccia should be in his ear about?
LambeauPlain
October 02, 2025 at 09:08 am
I don't know what Bisaccia does as Assistant HC any more than what Stenovich does as OC.
Not sure just what Rich is in Matt's ear about...but he has been effective receiving a promotion and contract extension as a "reward" for his coaching prowess.
Coldworld
October 02, 2025 at 09:42 am
At some point one has to ask why all Packers STCs fail? Sure, I think we e hired some very questionable talent in the past, particularly after TT declined. However, at some point one has to start wondering if it’s in part due to reasons beyond their control.
The roster now includes more ST first players, so is it now the HC limiting usage of individuals or how they are deployed? Or did Bissacia somehow get incredibly lucky for 15 years or so before he came here. That just seems implausible.
LayingTheLawe
October 02, 2025 at 07:25 pm
You have to believe out of the 6 offensive linemen out currently for this team, at least a few of them would be on the kick protection team. Can it all be laid down to Luke Musgrave being such a bad blocker and that he should never have been in there in the first place?
Maybe it was impossible to tell how disastrous Musgrave would be, given that the only run-through they get of teams when on the road, is probably in street clothes while in a hotel ballroom as they go over who's on the units this week.
LayingTheLawe
October 02, 2025 at 11:15 am
The Packers are down so many offensive linemen - Monk, Williams, Glover, Benton, Banks, Tom all out. So, they are down to what I am sure the team would consider third-string special players on block teams. That said, it seems obvious to all that Musgrave couldn't even block me from getting to the kick - and I am a short woman in my 50s (though I still have a killer first step). It feels like they put Musgrave out there mostly because of what position he plays, and not because he has any ability to actually block anything. I know they don't practice this stuff live in today's NFL, but they have to find someone who can feel the pressure and get in the way, even if it's a nontraditional position for this task. If Tyron Hopper or Kitan Oladapo, or anyone, can block it up way better than Musgrave, get them out there.
On returns, I think there has been a change the NFL has not caught up with. With the new "dynamic kickoff", players can not move until the ball is caught. Or bounces. So, kick hang time is meaningless. In fact, there are a handful of teams now doing these low, weed-chopper kicks that skid into the landing zone and cause havoc. In 2024, there were 6 kickoffs the entire year that caused the returning team to start inside their 20 (not caused by penalty) . In 2025, after 3 weeks, Joshua Karty of the Rams has kicked these low, winding bouncers and trapped teams inside their 20, 6 times. With everyone else having to hold still until the ball bounces, the NFL has caused two returners to have to try and cover the entire landing zone. It's just another special teams thing the Packers will flounder with.
dobber
October 02, 2025 at 12:09 pm
"Destined for Special Teams Mediocrity"
When you're looking up at mediocrity, mediocrity doesn't seem too bad.
LayingTheLawe
October 02, 2025 at 07:20 pm
Good one.
The Packers WISH they were mediocre in the Special Teams.
madcat
October 02, 2025 at 02:41 pm
No one is remembering that Rich kept Amari Rodgers as Special Teams kick returner, fumbler and fair catch specialist way too long before finally replacing him with Nixon. Maybe that was the first sign MFL hired a mistake, who eas his friend.
Starrbrite
October 02, 2025 at 10:10 pm
I’ve said it several times: allow bitchsassy to remain as assistant coach and replace him as the special teams coach.
Go Packers!!!