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Packers Fire Rich Bisaccia After Consecutive Mistakes Against Cowboys

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Green Bay — October 1, 2025 . With a 2–1–1 record through the first four weeks, the Green Bay Packers enter their bye with more concerns than expected. Two dominant opening wins were quickly overshadowed by an upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 and a breathless 40–40 draw with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, exposing core issues the team must address immediately.
Beyond the offensive line questions and a growing injury list, the special teams unit has become the central target of criticism. In back-to-back weeks the Packers had kicks blocked — both of which flipped the game’s complexion — prompting action during the bye: Green Bay has fired special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, ending a tenure that began in 2022 but never reached expectations.

“This is not an easy decision, but when catastrophic mistakes repeat and directly affect outcomes, I have a responsibility to make a change now to get this team back on track,” head coach Matt LaFleur said, underscoring a message of stability and discipline at a pivotal juncture in the season.

 
 

The change on the ST headset didn’t occur in a vacuum; it reflects a reservoir of trust running dry after a string of unacceptable process errors. From inconsistent recognition of overload looks, shaky edge protection, to unstable snap–hold–kick timing, the Packers repeatedly put themselves behind the eight ball in moments that can decide games.

Since Bisaccia’s arrival in Green Bay, the Packers’ special teams have not finished a season higher than 26th in Pro Football Focus’ grading, and after Week 4 this year they slipped toward the league’s basement. Those figures aren’t just sterile statistics; they mirror the fragility felt whenever the game transitions to dead-ball situations — where tiny margins can produce outsized swings.

 
 

A blocked field goal against the Browns opened the door for the decisive kick, sending the Packers off with a 10–13 defeat in Week 3. A week later, a blocked extra point that the opponent converted into a defensive two-point score became a turning point in both scoreboard and psyche, contributing to Green Bay’s failure to close the game in regulation and settling for a draw against the Cowboys.

Against that backdrop, the bye is viewed as a rare “repair window.” The dismissal of Bisaccia is paired with an interim internal assignment to an ST assistant and a procedural rebuild: tightening edge protection, standardizing count rules against overload rushes, bringing the snap–hold–kick operation time back to a competitive threshold, and ramping up scout-team periods to mirror the next opponent’s pressure tendencies.

Even with two emphatic wins to open the season, the Packers understand that true contention requires a trustworthy special teams unit to match the offense and defense. This sideline change isn’t merely a reaction to a rough fortnight; it’s a commitment to reestablishing execution standards — where every small transition should yield an edge rather than become a liability for the entire team.

Former Offensive Star Returns to Sign One-Day Contract, Retire as a Green Bay Packer 🧀💚
He thought he had said goodbye to football for good earlier this year. After nearly two decades of elite play, multiple Pro Bowls, and a career worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, the legendary offensive lineman quietly stepped away—without fanfare, without ceremony. Yet something inside him never felt finished. That changed this week. On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers announced that Bryan Bulaga has returned to sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the team, officially retiring in the iconic green and gold—the colors that defined his legacy. This isn’t a comeback on the field. It’s closure. For a player who gave over a decade of excellence to the franchise, it’s the only ending that made sense. “Green Bay shaped my career and gave me a home. It’s only right that I finish it where it all truly mattered,” Bulaga said in a statement through the team. “Green and gold forever.” Bulaga spent 11 seasons with the Packers from 2010 to 2021, earning two Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the most dominant offensive tackles of his era. His leadership on the line helped stabilize Green Bay through multiple quarterback eras, culminating in the team’s Super Bowl XLV run. Though he finished his career with shorter stints on other teams, Bulaga always made it clear that Green Bay was home. When asked why he wanted to return just to retire, he said simply: “It didn’t feel right ending my career without the Packers. This team, this city—they gave me everything.” Current players and coaches echoed that sentiment. David Bakhtiari called him “the blueprint for what an offensive lineman should be,” and Matt LaFleur said the signing was “a moment the whole organization proudly stands behind.” Bulaga is expected to be honored during the Packers’ 2025 home opener, where fans will finally get to salute one of the franchise’s greatest linemen. Though his final snap may have come years ago, the closing of his story couldn’t have been more perfect—or more Packers. Bryan Bulaga is officially, and forever, a Green Bay Packer.