Why Rich Bisaccia’s Shocking Packers Exit Could Reshape Green Bay’s 2026 Season

Green Bay—In a move that instantly reshapes the Packers’ sideline, veteran special-teams guru Rich Bisaccia has officially stepped down as Green Bay’s assistant head coach and special teams coordinator after four seasons of steady improvement. Head coach Matt LaFleur announced the resignation late Tuesday, praising Bisaccia’s “profound impact on our players and our culture” while acknowledging the challenge of replacing one of the NFL’s most respected specialists. Bisaccia, 65, arrived in Titletown in 2022 with a mandate to repair a chronically shaky third phase; by 2025 the Packers ranked seventh league-wide in field-position margin and produced the NFL’s No. 3 single-season gross punting average behind breakout star Daniel Whelan (51.7 yards) as well as consecutive All-Pro campaigns from return ace Keisean Nixon. Those gains helped flip hidden yardage and fueled Green Bay’s playoff runs despite offensive inconsistencies. In a statement, Bisaccia credited LaFleur, GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers fan base for “unwavering trust and support,” adding that he looks forward to “whatever is next for me and my family.” While retirement is on the table, league sources say multiple teams have already inquired about bringing Bisaccia aboard in either a special-teams or assistant head-coach capacity, underscoring his enduring value across NFL front offices. Why the departure—and why now? Team insiders point to a combination of factors: Bisaccia’s contract was set to expire after the 2026 season, family considerations weighed heavily after 40 straight years of coaching, and several franchises have floated senior-advisor roles that could reduce the travel grind while still tapping into his expertise. For Green Bay, the timing—just before the scouting combine—allows LaFleur to interview external candidates or consider an internal promotion, with assistant special-teams coach Byron Storer viewed as an early favorite. The on-field repercussions are significant. Whelan’s record-setting punting mechanics were refined under Bisaccia’s meticulous eye; Nixon’s vision as a kick returner flourished inside a scheme built on aggressive blocking angles and disciplined lane integrity. A new coordinator must sustain that momentum while also integrating recent rule tweaks that favor longer returns and encourage hybrid-safety body types on coverage units. From a roster-building standpoint, Gutekunst may prioritize core special-teamers in free agency—names like LB Eric Wilson and CB Corey Ballentine—until the hire is finalized. Meanwhile, Bisaccia’s exit adds another subplot to an NFC North coaching carousel that already saw the Vikings shuffle coordinators and the Bears install a new special-teams chief earlier this month. Coaching changes rarely dominate February headlines, but Bisaccia’s résumé commands attention: 21 years as an NFL coordinator, an interim head-coaching stint that steadied the Raiders after Jon Gruden’s resignation in 2021, and a reputation as one of the league’s premier motivators. That track record ensures his next chapter—whether on another sideline or a well-earned sabbatical—will be closely watched by teams desperate for crisp special-teams execution. For now, the Packers must replace the architect of their third-phase renaissance, and the race to secure Bisaccia’s successor begins immediately.