5 Things We Learned From Packers Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia

When we last saw the Green Bay Packers — a 22-10 loss to Philadelphia in the NFC wild card round — special teams were an issue.

Keisean Nixon fumbled away the opening kickoff when he was leveled by ex-Packer Oren Burks. Philadelphia’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. recovered at Green Bay’s 28, and three plays later the Eagles scored.

Packers kicker Brandon McManus — who entered the game 20-of-21 on field goals (95.3%) — missed a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter. And Nixon later received an unnecessary roughness penalty.

For the first time since that January game, Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia met the media. Here are five things we learned from Bisaccia Monday afternoon.

1. Keisean Nixon might still be returner No. 1

After last year ended, Packers cornerback/return man Keisean Nixon said, “I want to be CB1. CB1 is not doing kick returns. That’s just what it is.”

Bisaccia said Monday that Nixon still might be a big part of Green Bay’s return games.

“I think him and I both, as well as other players, were not in very good mood after that particular game (Philadelphia), and going into that press conference, we’ve had conversations,” Bisaccia said. “So in in my mind, he’s always going to be in the mix, and we’ll see how it works out.”

Nixon was an All-Pro kickoff returner in both 2022 and 2023, then averaged 29.3 yards per return last season.

2. Simmons could help

The Packers signed linebacker Isaiah Simmons on April 29 and Bisaccia believes he could provide help to a special teams unit that certainly could use it.

Simmons was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft by Arizona, then went to the New York Giants in 2023. In 84 career games with the Giants and Cardinals, Simmons has 308 tackles (211 solo), 21 passes defensed, 15 tackles for a loss, 13 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, including touchdown returns of 56 and 54 yards, and two fumble recoveries.

He’s also registered a blocked field goal, 15 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on special teams.

“We’re excited about getting him,” Bisaccia said of Simmons. “I loved him coming out of school (at Clemson). Think a lot of us did. We followed his career a little bit. He’s a big, fast, physical guy that can run, and he’s made plays before, so we’re hoping to put him in position to help him help us. So we’re excited about having him.”

3. Bisaccia, the recruiter

Bisaccia, who spent the 2018-2021 seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, helped bring Keisean Nixon to Green Bay back in 2022. This offseason, Bisaccia played a role in the Packers signing free agent cornerback Nate Hobbs.

Bisaccia coached both Nixon and Hobbs during his time with the Raiders.

“He’s a really talented football player,” Bisaccia said of Hobbs. “He’s a lot bigger than you think, until you get up there and shake his hand. He can really run. He’s a physical player. He’s got great length, and you know, he’s played multiple positions.

“He’s played in the slot, he’s played outside, a force in kicking game his rookie year. So all that being said, what we’ve seen of him on defense, we’ve seen some of those in the kicking game, as well. I just think we’re getting a really good guy that loves football and loves the opportunity to compete.”

4. Still a sounding board?

In addition to being Green Bay’s special teams coordinator, Bisaccia holds the title of assistant head coach.

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur often consults with Bisaccia during games and uses him as a sounding board. That won’t change in 2025, as Bisaccia and LaFleur have developed a certain kinship.

“I think we’ve grown together better as time has gone on, as the seasons have gone on and so hopefully this year we’ll have a chance to, you know, be our best in that matter,” Bisaccia said. “He’s got a lot going on calling the plays and having a pulse of what’s going on in the game and defensively and all that. So I think our relationship has gotten much better over the three seasons, and I expect it to keep growing in that direction as well.”

5. Retirement? Not yet

Bisaccia, who turns 65 in June, said he briefly contemplated retiring after last season.

After more than four decades of coaching football, though, including the last 24 in the NFL, Bisaccia said he knew he wasn’t finished yet.

“A lot more people seem to know about my age than I do,” Bisaccia said. “You know, coming to work and seeing the players fills my cup. And, you know, I always say this, I say that the number one job an assistant coach is to serve the head coach, serve the players, teach the players how to serve each other.

“When I don’t feel that way in the morning about coming to work, I’m just not going to go. But I don’t, I don’t get that sense. I don’t. I just, all I think about is coming to work and being around players, you know?”