In the NFL, consistency and success are highly valued by teams and their fans. Unfortunately, for the Green Bay Packers, their special teams unit has been a consistent source of concern in recent years. Despite efforts to improve and the hiring of Ray Bisaccia as coordinator, the unit has failed to meet expectations. As we approach the end of another season, it’s becoming clear that Bisaccia’s job may be on the line if things don’t improve drastically.
Bisaccia was brought on board in 2019, as part of the newly hired head coach Matt LaFleur’s coaching staff. With over 17 years of experience in the league, including a Super Bowl win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bisaccia seemed like the perfect choice to turn around the Packers’ struggling special teams.
However, his tenure with the Packers has been less than stellar. In his first season, the special teams unit ranked 30th in the league according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) metric, which measures performance taking into consideration the opponent and game situation. This ranking is a steep decline from the previous season when the Packers ranked 11th in the same metric.
So, what went wrong? It’s easy to pinpoint mistakes and miscues on the field, but the bigger issue lies in the lack of improvement and progression over the past two seasons. For example, the Packers have struggled with punt returns, ranking near the bottom of the league in both 2019 and 2020. In addition, the team has been plagued by penalties and missed tackles on special teams, leading to costly points for opponents.
One could argue that Bisaccia’s job is made even more difficult by the constant turnover on the roster, especially in the returner positions. However, good coaches are able to adapt and find solutions despite these challenges. Unfortunately, Bisaccia has been unable to do so.
The lack of improvement on special teams has frustrated both fans and the front office, and there have been rumblings that Bisaccia could be one of the first casualties if things don’t improve quickly. As we approach the end of the regular season, the Packers’ special teams unit ranks 24th in the DVOA metric, a slight improvement from the previous year, but still far from where they need to be.
One particularly worrisome trend that has emerged this season is the number of touchbacks on kickoff returns. In fact, the Packers have only returned 7 kickoffs out of a possible 49, which equates to a 14.3% return rate, the lowest in the league. This is a significant drop from last season when they returned 21 kickoffs out of 67, a 31.5% return rate.
This trend is alarming because it means opposing teams have been able to pin the Packers deep in their own territory, putting extra pressure on the offense to score. It also speaks to a lack of creativity and execution on special teams, which ultimately falls on Bisaccia’s shoulders as coordinator.
It’s worth noting that the Packers have dealt with injuries and absences on special teams this season, particularly to key players like returner Tyler Ervin and kicker Mason Crosby. However, other teams have also faced similar challenges, yet have managed to find success on special teams.
In the end, the performance of the special teams falls on the shoulders of Bisaccia, and if the unit doesn’t improve significantly, he could be on his way out at the end of the season. While he may be one of LaFleur’s confidants, the front office will not hesitate to make changes if it means improving the team’s chances of winning and competing for a Super Bowl title.
In conclusion, it’s clear that the Packers’ special teams unit is not meeting expectations and that Bisaccia’s job may be on the line as a result. As we enter the crucial final stretch of the regular season, it’s imperative for Bisaccia and the special teams to step up and show that they are capable of being an asset to the team. Otherwise, changes will undoubtedly be made in the offseason in pursuit of success and consistency. Until then, Packers fans must hold their breath and hope for a turnaround on special teams before it’s too late.
