5 things learned from Brian Gutekunst’s media…

4. Packers hope Rich Bisaccia’s arrival spurs special-teams turnaround

The Packers are excited about what the venerable special-teams coach will bring to a unit looking to reverse its recent fortunes.

The unit’s struggles carried over into last month’s 13-10 loss to the 49ers, with the biggest gaffe being Corey Bojorquez’s fourth-quarter punt that was blocked and recovered for a touchdown.

Bisaccia, who finished last season as the interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, has known Gutekunst for a long time after previously coaching with his father, John, at South Carolina. He’s also one of the NFL’s most respected minds when it comes to special teams.

“We’re definitely going to have to do some different things to become better in that area. Because it’s certainly something that’s kind of dragged on here longer than we wanted to,” Gutekunst said. “We did some different things before this season to strengthen that area and during the season and ultimately it didn’t work out. We’re going to have to continue at it. We’re excited for Rich and what he might be able to do.”

While there likely will be more changes to come on special teams, longtime kicker Mason Crosby could still be in the team’s plans. Despite Crosby making only 73.5% of his field goals this past year, Gutekunst praised how he handled a series of in-season changes this year, including a new holder (Bojorquez) and long snapper (Steven Wirtel).

The Packers currently have three kickers on the offseason roster, after retaining practice-squad kicker JJ Molson and signing Dominik Eberle on Tuesday.

“For where our football team is, having a championship kind of kicker, a guy who can compete at that level, is important,” Gutekunst said. “There will always be competition and everybody’s got to hold their own, but yeah, Mason, some of Mason’s (troubles), the things that happened with our special-teams unit, again, we’ve got to make kicks, but at the same time there were a lot of moving parts there.”

5. Packers would love to have De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas back

Two big reasons for the Packers finishing in the top 10 in total defense last season were the additions of Campbell and Douglas.

Campbell signed with the Packers at the end of the offseason program in June and turned in his first All-Pro season, leading the Packers with 146 tackles.

Gutekunst said the Packers had an eye on Campbell for several years but cap issues prevented them from getting involved when he signed with the Cardinals in 2020. Given a second chance for the two sides to come together this past summer, it proved to be the perfect pairing.

“The season he had, I’m so impressed with the person and the player, and he just made a world of difference for the defense,” Gutekunst said. “We’re very optimistic and hopeful to get him back into the fold.”

Douglas led the secondary with five interceptions in just 12 games after signing off Arizona’s practice squad on Oct. 6.

Gutekunst praised the job Packers director of pro personnel Richmond Williams did in helping find Douglas after Jaire Alexander succumbed to a shoulder injury against Pittsburgh that would sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.

Douglas was later named a Pro Bowl alternate after registering 57 tackles, 13 passes defensed and returning two of his career-high five interceptions for touchdowns.

“To predict what he was able to do for us, I’d be lying to you if I thought he was going to come here … and impact our team the way he did,” Gutekunst said. “Two great stories and hopefully we’ll have a chance to get those guys back.”