The Green Bay Packers will reportedly hire Rich Bisaccia as their next special teams coordinator, choosing the former Las Vegas Raiders interim coach to replace Maurice Drayton.
Green Bay fired Drayton a week after the Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers for season-long issues on special teams. Kick protection proved to be the unit’s biggest flaw throughout 2021, leading the fans to call for a change during the season.
However, head coach Matt LaFleur stuck with Drayton in December. Weeks later, a blocked field-goal attempt before halftime and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown made the difference in a 13-10 loss to the 49ers.
- Green Bay Packers special teams stats: 32nd in Rick Gossellin’s rankings, 73.5% field goal rate (31st in NFL)
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Green Bay is expected to hire Bisaccia as its new special teams coordinator. The official announcement is expected later from the team.
The Packers faced significant competition to land Bisaccia. Before being promoted to interim head coach after Jon Gruden resigned, the 61-year-old was one of the most respected coordinators in the NFL. As the top special teams coach on the market, a bidding war for his services broke out.
As for Bisaccia’s teams, they fared far better than what the Packers fielded. Las Vegas finished 11th in Rick Gosselin’s special teams’ rankings in 2021 and ranked 13th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA the season prior.
With Bisaccia on board, Green Bay will now hope Aaron Rodgers returns for the 2022 season. If the NFL MVP comes back, Davante Adams will likely follow and the Packers can attempt to make another run at the Super Bowl.
