Green Bay Packers GM Reveals Rich Bisaccia’s Exit ‘Caught Us By Surprise’
Many Green Bay Packers fans have been clamoring for the team to move on from special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Those fans got their wish when the long time NFL coach stepped down last week. Because of the timing, many have tried to speculate what happened.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst shed some light on the sudden departure, admitting that the front office was not prepared for the move.
Green Bay Packers: A Surprise Departure, Not a Retirement
When the news broke that Rich Bisaccia was stepping down, many assumed the 65-year-old coaching veteran was heading into retirement. According to Gutekunst, that isn’t the case.
“No, I wouldn’t say we were expecting it at all,” Gutekunst told reporters. “It caught us by surprise, but I think there’s some other opportunities he wanted to look at.”
Bisaccia was more than just a coordinator for Green Bay; he was widely credited with changing the culture of the special teams room, a unit that had been a laughingstock in Green Bay for nearly two decades. His departure leaves a significant void not just in the schematic operation of the kicking game, but in the locker room leadership structure. Gutekunst emphasized this, noting how important Bisaccia was to the team’s culture and calling him a “fabulous football coach.”
Navigating a Late Hiring Cycle
The timing of Bisaccia’s exit puts Head Coach Matt LaFleur in a difficult spot. Most NFL teams have already filled their coordinator vacancies, meaning the pool of available candidates has shrunk significantly. However, rather than panic, Gutekunst and LaFleur are choosing to view the situation with optimism.
“I think I look at it kind of glass half full,” Gutekunst said. “This actually allows us to take our time. I think when you get into that coaching cycle, sometimes you’ve got to move fast without knowing everything you want to know about the candidates.”
Because there is less competition for special teams coordinators right now compared to January, the Packers can be thorough. LaFleur has already interviewed several candidates, including Tom McMahon, Cameron Achord, and Kyle Wilber, ensuring they find the right fit rather than just the first available body.
The Challenge Ahead for the Next Coordinator
Whoever takes the reins from Bisaccia faces a steep uphill battle. Despite the cultural improvements under his tenure, the on-field results for the Packers’ special teams remained mixed. The unit has failed to crack the top half of league rankings consistently, a trend that dates back nearly 20 years.
The immediate issues are glaring. The Packers finished dead last in punt-return average and 23rd in kickoff-return average last season. With Romeo Doubs—who handled punt returns—set to hit free agency, the new coordinator will likely need to identify a new return specialist. Gutekunst acknowledged that roster construction might need to change to prioritize players who can actually make an impact in the return game.
Then there is the kicking situation. After a rollercoaster year with rookie Anders Carlson and a late-season stint with veteran Brandon McManus that ended in playoff heartbreak, the position is far from settled. McManus is due a roster bonus soon, and the team re-signed Lucas Havrisik to the practice squad, signaling an open competition.
Rich Bisaccia may have stabilized the ship, but he didn’t fix the leak. Now, it’s up to Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur to find someone who can finally turn Green Bay’s special teams into an asset rather than a liability.
