Three Big Questions Facing the Green Bay Packers Special Teams Entering 2025

The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this week. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the special teams. We will look at another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, for running backs, click here, click here for linebackers, here for tight ends, here for defensive ends, here for the offensive line, and here for the secondary. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers special teams entering training camp in 2025:

The Projected Candidates: Starters: Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech, Keisean Nixon Backups: Jayden Reed, Mecole Hardman; Fighting for Roster Spots: Alex Hale

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers Special Teams, Number One: Can Brandon McManus Match Last Year’s Consistency?

The Packers struggled at kicker for 2023 and the first six games of 2024. After half a dozen candidates failed to impress in OTAs and training camp, the team signed Brayden Narveson. He played six games for the team and was still inconsistent. So, GM Brian Gutekunst signed veteran Brandon McManus.

McManus had an outstanding season. He made all 30 of his extra point tries and 20-of-21 field goals. His only miss of the regular season came on a rainy, windswept day at Lambeau Field where the wind held the ball up in mid-air.

His strong performance earned McManus a new contract with the Packers. While it may be difficult to match the near perfect record of 2024, the Packers need McManus to continue to be consistent and play at a high level again in 2025. He made the difference in several close games last year and can do so again in this season.

Number Two: Who Will Return Kicks and Punts?

After the playoff loss to the Eagles in January, Keisean Nixon said he no longer wanted to return kicks for the Packers in order to concentrate on playing cornerback. At OTAs, Nixon walked back those statements. He is a two-time All-Pro kick returner and is always dangerous when he gets his hands on the ball.

The question remains, who will return kicks this season. Nixon may be back full time as the primary kick returner, or he could be saved for key late-game situations.

The Packers signed free agent Mecole Hardman who has returned both kicks and punts in his career. Hardman may need to win the return job to earn a roster spot. Several rookies may also compete for reps as the team’s return specialist.

Jayden Reed has been serviceable as a punt returner, but the team may look for an upgrade. Hardman would be one alternative in a battle that could be wide open.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers Special Teams, Number Three: Will the Coverage Teams Improve?

The Packers coverage teams have not always been great under Rich Bisaccia. Last season, the Pack ranked 25^th in the NFL in punt return coverage and allowed one of six touchdowns on a punt return.

The kick return coverage was better, ranking 10^th in the league last season. That is the highest ranking the Packers have had in several years.

Can Bisaccia get more out of the coverage teams in 2025? Keeping the kick return coverage strong and improving the punt return numbers would help the team in the always important battle for field position.

Players like Zayne Anderson and Kristian Welch are on the training camp roster primarily for their special teams prowess. Finding the right players for special teams will be a big key when determining who will earn the final roster spots this season.