🏈 GREEN BAY PACKERS REINVENT SPECIAL TEAMS WITH ACHORD, MOORE, AND SMACK

The Green Bay Packers made it abundantly clear this offseason that special teams would no longer be a liability, signaling a strategic overhaul that combines top-tier coaching, elite return talent, and a long-term investment in kicking stability designed to address past weaknesses.

For starters, the Packers clearly committed resources and attention to a phase of the game that had often cost them field position, points, and momentum, demonstrating a proactive approach to transforming a historically inconsistent special teams unit into a competitive strength.

The departure of Rich Bisaccia unexpectedly left the Packers without their previous special teams coordinator, but the front office acted swiftly to ensure continuity and improvement, ultimately identifying Cam Achord as the replacement capable of elevating the unit to league-leading status.

Achord, a rising star among NFL special teams coordinators, previously ran a top-ranked special teams unit with the New England Patriots, showcasing his ability to optimize coverage units, develop return specialists, and instill a disciplined, aggressive approach that consistently generates turnovers and positive field position.

In addition to coaching upgrades, the Packers signed Skyy Moore to a one-year $2.5 million contract, a move aimed at bolstering their kickoff and punt return capabilities, bringing in a dynamic player who posted impressive numbers with the San Francisco 49ers last season, including a 27.5-yard kickoff return average (No. 6 in the NFL) and 11.6-yard punt return average (No. 7).

Gone are the days when Green Bay’s punt return average sat at a dismal 5.6 yards per return, the worst mark in the NFL last season, as the organization clearly intends to redefine the unit’s identity, shifting from mediocrity to elite performance with a combination of coaching, player acquisition, and roster adjustments.

The Packers’ commitment extended to the 2026 NFL Draft, where general manager Brian Gutekunst executed a bold move, trading away two seventh-round picks to move into the back half of the sixth round to select Florida Gators kicker Trey Smack, widely regarded as the top placekicker available in the draft.

This aggressive draft move signaled a clear message: Green Bay was prepared to prioritize accuracy, consistency, and long-term potential in its kicking game, even at the expense of draft capital, emphasizing that Smack would become a centerpiece of their special teams strategy moving forward.

Weeks later, the Packers made a surprising decision, releasing veteran kicker Brandon McManus, despite having recently paid him a $1 million roster bonus, underscoring the organization’s commitment to a merit-based evaluation system that prioritizes long-term reliability over past service or short-term financial considerations.

McManus had initially stabilized Green Bay’s kicking game in 2024 after replacing undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson in Week 7, providing consistency that was previously lacking, and his tenure included highs such as a 13-field-goal streak to close the 2025 season, demonstrating moments of effectiveness amidst inconsistency.

However, McManus also struggled with a right quad injury last season, finishing with 24-of-30 field goals and a critical 0-for-2 performance in Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, highlighting that durability and performance under pressure were ongoing concerns for the front office when evaluating roster options.

McManus had also missed a key kick in the Packers’ 2024 wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, reinforcing the front office’s belief that the team required a long-term solution at kicker, particularly given the unpredictability of weather conditions and outdoor stadium environments in the NFC North.

Achord, in evaluating Trey Smack, emphasized the importance of a straight, stable kicking ball, noting that elite kickers do not necessarily need the longest leg in the league but must deliver consistency in accuracy, especially under challenging conditions like crosswinds and cold temperatures common at Lambeau Field.

“Straight ball, accuracy. His ball doesn’t move a lot,” Achord said, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, reflecting his confidence in Smack’s ability to thrive in the elements-heavy stadiums the Packers frequently encounter, including Soldier Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and home at Lambeau Field.

Achord further explained that while he has coached many highly talented kickers, his priority is not distance alone but predictable performance from 45 to 58 yards, ensuring that the team can rely on the kicker in clutch scenarios regardless of weather conditions, rather than relying on occasional 60-plus yarders.

The confidence Achord expressed in Smack likely played a pivotal role in Gutekunst’s draft-day decision to trade up, signaling alignment between coaching evaluation and front office strategy, and setting the stage for Smack to take over kicking duties without a formal competition against McManus.

In three seasons at Florida, Trey Smack hit 53-of-64 field goals (82.8%), including 10-of-13 from 50-plus yards, with long kicks of 54 in 2023, 55 in 2024, and 56 in 2025, providing a track record of consistency and the ability to perform under pressure from significant distances.

Achord highlighted Smack’s lack of ball movement, noting that this quality would allow kicks to cut through the unpredictable elements that have historically challenged Green Bay kickers, ensuring that the Packers’ new kicker would be more reliable in adverse conditions than previous options.

During his time in Green Bay, McManus had missed critical kicks in stadiums like Soldier Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and Lambeau Field, areas where Smack’s controlled, straight-ball technique could reduce the probability of game-altering misses, addressing a long-standing team weakness.

The Packers’ decision to move on from McManus without a kicking competition in fall camp reflects confidence in Smack’s readiness, as well as a belief that his developmental trajectory aligns with the team’s strategic vision for special teams, emphasizing precision, reliability, and situational awareness.

Green Bay’s aggressive offseason approach to special teams, combining Achord’s innovative coaching, Moore’s explosive return capability, and Smack’s kicking reliability, demonstrates a comprehensive plan to turn a previous weakness into a unit of strength, impacting field position and overall game strategy.

The strategy also includes fostering internal competition, motivating younger players, and creating a culture of accountability within special teams, ensuring that every snap, kick, and return is executed with the precision and discipline necessary to gain a competitive edge in the NFC North.

Fans interested in discussing the Packers’ special teams turnaround can engage with the community through Packers Roundtable, a fan message board and discussion forum designed to share insights, debate roster moves, and analyze strategic decisions, providing a platform for dialogue and engagement.

In summary, the Green Bay Packers’ offseason moves signal a long-term commitment to excellence in special teams, combining coaching innovation, targeted player acquisition, and strategic roster management to create a unit capable of influencing games, providing field-position advantages, and stabilizing the kicking game for years to come.