While the Green Bay Packers can blame a lot of things for the reason they lost to the San Francisco 49ers at home in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, their special teams unit is the aspect that sticks out the most.
Arguably the worst special teams unit in the NFL last season, the Packers were doomed by their mistakes, including the final play of the game in which they only sent 10 players on the field to block the game-winning field goal.
It appears that the Packers only had 10 players on the field during the 49ers' game-winning field goal
pic.twitter.com/6moIBwlkNM — SB Nation (@SBNation) January 23, 2022
So it wasn’t too much of a surprise to find out that special teams coach Maurice Drayton would not return next season. The Packers now found themselves looking for their third special teams’ coach in three seasons and everyone pointed at the most obvious solution to their problems. Rich Bisaccia.
The former Las Vegas Raiders interim coach who didn’t get invited back for the full-time gig was a longtime special teams coach before that, winning a Super Bowl in that role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. He’s widely regarded as one of the best special teams’ coaches in the league and is beloved by players.
Turns out, Matt LaFleur agreed and the Packers are expected to hire him as their new special teams’ coach.
The #Packers are expected to hire former #Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia as their new special teams coach, sources say. The unit was an issue in GB last year, and coach Matt LaFleur goes a long way toward fixing it. Bisaccia is universally respected.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 7, 2022
Given what Bisaccia brings to the table and the need that the Packers have, it’s no wonder that he’s also going to get paid pretty well for the opportunity.
Additionally, buzz around the league is Bisaccia's contract will set a new compensation bar for special teams coordinators.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) February 7, 2022
The reaction to this hiring was pretty universally positive, for both the Packers and Bisaccia, whom many felt should have gotten the Raiders’ head coaching job permanently.
Good to hear for Bisaccia https://t.co/nLn4PqSkeQ
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) February 7, 2022
Good landing spot for Rich Bisaccia. https://t.co/ouVp5e7FDy
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 7, 2022
Smart way to upgrade an awful unit. https://t.co/3eUmjQbJG5
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) February 7, 2022
Big win for the #Packers https://t.co/0Ad2KxWtJn
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) February 7, 2022
A huge step in the right direction for the #Packers ST unit. https://t.co/qxvCGpY26M
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) February 7, 2022
If the Packers can figure out how to keep Aaron Rodgers and fix issues like their special teams, they could be setting themselves up for a very solid season next year.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.