Is This the Best Packers Special Teams Unit In Years?

The seemingly unsolvable riddle that is the Green Bay Packers’ special teams felt close to untangled last year, but some frustrations lingered. The Packers finished the season ranked 22nd in special teams. But, as the page turns to 2025, special teams coordinator/assistant coach Rich Bisaccia has what he needs for this group to flourish.

Green Bay ranked 18th in field-goal percentage last year. Still, it was the tale of two tapes with two different kickers.

After Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph had a pillow fight in training camp last summer, the Packers brought in Brayden Narveson to be the starting kicker for the regular season. Narveson missed five field goals in six games, and Brandon McManus replaced him. The veteran kicker connected on 20 of his 21 field-goal attempts, drastically improving that department.

Green Bay wisely re-signed McManus in the offseason. That position is in good standing after McManus started training camp by going 23 for 23.

The kicking game has been an area of concern since Mason Crosby's departure, but now it should be a clear strength.

As for kickoff coverage, Packers opponents started at the 28.8-yard line, good for the second-best in the entire NFL. Green Bay returns the core of its coverage unit and is adding Swiss Army knife Isaiah Simmons to the group. It's an addition Bisaccia

Kickoff coverage should be a strength once again.

In January, Keisean Nixon fumbled the opening kickoff in Green Bay's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After being a back-to-back first-team All-Pro in that category, Nixon didn't pack quite the punch in the kick return game in 2024, and none of his cohorts picked up the slack. Green Bay finished No. 19 in average starting field position, but there's optimism that Nixon could return to form.

That's assuming that cooler heads have prevailed.

Nixon stated after the playoff loss that he was done as a kick returner. However, he has been one of the returners in the training camp mix, taking reps.

Bisaccia indicated this might be the case back in May:

Check another box on special teams that Bisaccia should feel more than comfortable with in 2025.

Meanwhile, Daniel Whelan is back at punter. A quick glance at the numbers might suggest this is a significant weakness, but this is an example of how statistics can be misleading.

According to SI.com's Bill Huber, the Packers finished 27th in net punting a year ago. However, the Chicago Bears'

Whelan had a sound season, and the opposition returned 35.7% of his punts, the fourth-best mark in the league. It's Bisaccia's job to ensure Green Bay doesn't fall for a trick play of sorts on a punt return like the one the Bears rolled out last January. Whelan isn’t at fault here, so his return is another good sign for the third phase.

Kicker was the biggest headache the last two offseasons for Bisaccia and Co. Not only is that problem solved, it's solved resoundingly with McManus, who was as reliable as they come once the Packers scooped him up. Nixon has been an All-Pro at kick returner and should be in the fold this year. While punt returner has been a headache in recent years, the veteran Mecole Hardman could be an answer for Bisaccia. Whelan is back at punter. And, as a bonus, Simmons provides a fascinating option to deploy in different roles.

Everything finally seems to be in place for the Packers to flourish on special teams. Bisaccia has the tools he needs, so it’s time to finish the job.