The Green Bay Packers' 2025 season ended with more questions than answers-especially on special teams, where coordinator Rich Bisaccia finds himself under the microscope. And after a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears that featured a string of miscues, that spotlight has only grown brighter.
Let’s start with the most glaring issues. In a high-stakes postseason matchup, veteran kicker Brandon McManus missed two field goals and an extra point.
That’s a tough pill to swallow in any game, but in the playoffs, those missed points loom even larger. Then came a near-disaster on a kick return, when Josh Jacobs coughed up the ball-only for Green Bay to recover it by the skin of their teeth.
Add in a bizarre moment where the Packers lined up with just 10 players for an extra point attempt-an error that somehow slipped past the officials-and it’s easy to see why frustration is mounting.
The Bears certainly noticed. Chicago special teams coordinator Richard Hightower didn’t hold back when asked about the Packers’ miscue, telling reporters, “If our team did that, I would be livid.” That’s the kind of comment that stings a little more when it comes from a division rival-and it adds fuel to the fire for those in Green Bay calling for a shake-up.
Now, to be fair, Hightower has faced his own share of criticism in Chicago over the years. But in this case, his words hit a nerve because they reflect a broader reality: Green Bay’s special teams unit just wasn’t good enough this season.
The issues go beyond one game. McManus had a rough year overall, with missed kicks in key moments.
In Week 3, a blocked field goal against the Browns proved costly in a tight loss. Later in the season, a blocked extra point against the Cowboys shifted momentum and contributed to a wild 40-40 tie.
These aren’t just isolated incidents-they’re part of a pattern that dragged the Packers down in several winnable games.
The lone bright spot? Punter Daniel Whelan, who quietly turned in a solid season and gave the Packers some field position advantages when the offense stalled. But punter play alone doesn’t carry a special teams unit, and Whelan’s consistency couldn’t cover up the broader breakdowns in execution, protection, and discipline.
Green Bay has already started to explore changes, signing kicker Lucas Havrisik to a reserve/futures deal earlier this week. That move suggests McManus’ time in Green Bay may be coming to an end. But if the Packers are serious about turning things around, the kicker position shouldn't be the only one under review.
Bisaccia was brought in to stabilize the special teams unit, and early on, there were signs of progress. But 2025 wasn’t a step forward-it was a step back. Whether it’s missed kicks, mental errors, or costly breakdowns in protection, the unit too often found itself on the wrong side of the highlight reel.
Of course, any decision on Bisaccia’s future likely ties into the broader situation surrounding head coach Matt LaFleur. The organization still appears to be navigating its long-term direction, and until that picture becomes clearer, changes to the coaching staff may be on hold.
But one thing is clear: If the Packers want to compete at the highest level, they can’t afford to have special teams be a liability. The 2025 season showed just how costly those mistakes can be. Now it’s up to the front office to decide whether Bisaccia gets a chance to fix it-or if it’s time for a new voice to take over.