Packers special-teams coordinator Cam Achord discussed improvements needed for the team's special teams. He highlighted both strengths and weaknesses, noting the need to enhance their return game.
Key points
Cam Achord is the new special-teams coordinator for the Packers.
The Packers' coverage units ranked 4th in net punt coverage last season.
The return games for the Packers ranked 29th and 21st.
Brandon McManus faced midseason struggles due to a quad injury.
Mentioned in this story
Green Bay PackersCam AchordBrandon McManus
NFC wild-card playoff
GREEN BAY − New Green Bay Packers special-teams coordinator Cam Achord conducted a news conference on Monday, May 4, his first session with the media since coach Matt LaFleur hired him in late February.
Achord is taking on the challenge of turning around special teams that have been an organizational shortcoming for most of the past 25 years.
For instance, the Packers coverage units last season were fine – they finished No. 4 in net punt coverage, and No. 11 in starting field position after kicking off. But their return games were abysmal (Nos. 29 and 21), and kicker Brandon McManus had midseason struggles because of a quad injury and then missed three big kicks (two field goals and an extra point) in the Packers’ season-ending 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFC wild-card playoff game.
But Achord said one of the reasons the Packers job was attractive is there are players on the roster who can make for good special teams.
Green Bay Packers special-teams coordinator Cam Achord meets with the media May 4 at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay Packers special-teams coordinator Cam Achord meets with the media May 4 at Lambeau Field.
“I think there‘s pieces in place, there’s players here, and I think Matt understands that the kicking game − he's been great for me already,” Achord said. “There's an opportunity here to improve and get better. There's already pieces here.
“You're not going into a situation where like, ‘Oh man, we’re definitely starting from scratch with everything.’ There was obviously a lot of toughness about the team and stuff like that. There were just a little bit of things when you looked at it, obviously [punter] Daniel Whelan was Daniel, those type of things. But there’s enough pieces that you’re like, ‘Hey, we have an opportunity to be successful in the kicking game.’”
Q&A
What did Cam Achord say about the Packers' special teams?
Cam Achord mentioned that the Packers have pieces in place but need to improve their return game, which was poor last season.
How did the Packers' special teams perform last season?
The Packers' coverage units ranked 4th in net punt coverage but their return games were ranked 29th and 21st.
Who is the Packers' special-teams coordinator?
Cam Achord is the new special-teams coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, hired in late February.
What issues did kicker Brandon McManus face last season?
Brandon McManus struggled with a quad injury and missed three critical kicks in the Packers' playoff loss to the Bears.
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Achord has coached special teams in the NFL for a decade, including as coordinator for the New England Patriots from 2020-23 under former coach Bill Belichick. He then became a special-teams assistant with the New York Giants the past two years but was fired this offseason with the rest of the coaching staff when the team hired John Harbaugh as coach.
The Packers’ special-teams job opened unexpectedly late in the hiring cycle when Rich Bisaccia notified the team in late February that he wasn’t going to return. Achord did not have a job when LaFleur interviewed him, though he said he had a couple potential options besides the Packers.
Achord is a protege of former Giants coach Joe Judge, who as New England’s special-teams coordinator in 2018 brought him to the NFL from Southwest Mississippi Community College. The two had worked together at Southern Mississippi in 2012, when Judge was an offensive assistant.
“Let’s start with the fundamentals,” Achord said of his approach to special teams. “When we go out to the field, we’re going to start there. We're not going to get into a bunch of scheme. We’ve got to do the little things right, because then you’ve laid the foundation. We're going to lay a foundation and then we’ll start maximizing that. It’s putting the guys in situations to be successful.”
Why Cam Achord liked kicker Trey Smack
After trading up for kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Achord was among those who had a big say in the evaluation of the kicker.
When Achord was asked what he liked about Smack after scouting him, he said:
“Straight ball, accuracy. His ball doesn’t move a lot. For me, I don’t need a guy, and I've been blessed to coach a lot of guys that are really good, I don’t need a guy that can kick it 65 yards, personally. I want the guy that’s going to put it through consistently from 58, 55.
“Because again, we’re playing in Green Bay. When I was coaching in New England, coaching at Met Life [Stadium with the Giants], we played in elements. You’re not going to need the 60-yard ball all the time. You're going to need the 45-yard ball with the 14-mph crosswind. His ball not moving and stuff like that was definitely a big part.”
For now, Achord is working with three kickers: McManus, Smack and Lucas Havrisik. Achord said he’s worked with as many as four kickers at a time in the past, so getting reps for all of them will not be a problem if all three remain on the roster.
The Green Bay Packers made six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft with Brandon Cisse of the South Carolina Gamecocks their first pick in the second round.
Scroll through this gallery for info on the players part of the Packers' 2026 draft class.
Brandon Cisse, cornerback, South Carolina, second round round (52nd overall)
Chris McClellan, defensive tackle, Missouri, third round (77th overall)
Chris McClellan played the final two years of his college career at Missouri after two years at Florida.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge rusher, Penn State, fourth round (120th overall)
Dani Dennis-Sutton spent his entire four-year college career at Penn State.
Here are the Green Bay Packers 2026 draft picks in photos
Trey Smack spent all four years of his college career at Florida.
Cam Achord has the ‘junior college’ edge
Accord credits his five years as an assistant coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College as crucial to his education as a coach.
Because the coaching staff was so small there, he held multiple coaching positions each year. In his final season, he was special-teams coordinator, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and tight ends coach. He also was recruiting coordinator.
“I think some of the best coaches are people that coached small-college ball,” he said, “whether that’s Division II, Division III, junior college. Because you have to wear a lot of hats. It makes you put the stuff that’s really important in a bucket, and let’s take care of that.
“... You’ve got to lay out your day, you've got to be organized. That really helped me with the organization process, because not only were you scripting for the offense, you’ve got to turn around script for special-teams practice, then you had to let the other coaches know where to go, what to do, because you have to use everybody as a coach during the drills. I'd say it helped me develop into a lot better coach.”
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
1 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Iowa State offensive lineman Dylan Barrett, who also played at Wisconsin, is one of several undrafted free agents the Green Bay Packers are signing following the 2026 NFL Draft.
Scroll through this gallery to see all the players, including stats and where they played in college.
2 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyle Drones, Virginia Tech Position: Quarterback Height: 6-1½
Weight: 226 pounds
3 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In 12 games in 2025, Drones completed 56.5% of his passes for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions his senior year.
He started 34 games in his three years at Virginia Tech. Drones began his college career at Baylor for two years.
4 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kyron Drones was a rushing threat during his college career, topping 1,847 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns, including nine last season.
5 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn, Louisville Position: Linebacker
Height 6-foot
Weight: 225 pounds
6 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
TJ Quinn (34) led Lousiville in tackles in 2023 and 2024 and was a third-team All-ACC performer in 2025.
7 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky, Illinois
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 308 pounds
8 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Josh Gesky spent his entire five-year college career at Illinois.
He started all 13 games at left guard for the Illini in 2025 and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
9 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Position: Running back Height: 5-9
Weight: 199 pounds
10 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent his final college season at Central Florida where he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner.
He led UCF in rushing touchdowns (seven) and second on the team in rushign yards (554).
Nixon had the team's first kickoff return touchdown in eight years and totaled 438 return yards on the season.
11 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
For Nixon's redshirt junior season, he transferred to Western Michigan.
Nixon was a first-team All-MAC honoree after totaling 921 rushing yards on 143 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
12 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nixon spent the first three years of his college career at Oklahoma State (2021, 2022 and 2023). He redshirted in 2021.
13 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Murvin Kenion III
Position: Safety Height: 5-10½
Weight: 205 pounds
He began his college career at Idaho before transferring to Nevada.
14 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Position: Offensive lineman Height: 6-5
Weight: 325 pounds
Spent six years in college (First four at Wisconsin and then his final two at Iowa State)
15 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland, SMU
Position: Tight end Height: 6-4⅛
Weight: 236 pounds
16 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
R.J. Maryland spent all four years of his college career at SMU.
R.J. Maryland accumulated 1,495 yards, the most by a tight end in program history.
He's the son of former No. 1 overall pick Russell Maryland (1991, Dallas Cowboys), who later played one season with the Packers.
17 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Position: Edge rusher Height: 6-5½
Weight: 263 pounds
18 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Kykalik Kelly was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection his junior and senior seasons at Central Florida in 2024 and 2025.
He started 23 games for the Golden Knights, including all 12 his senior year.
19 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
A former four-star prospect, Kykalik Kelly began his college career at the University of Miami.
He spent two years there before transferring to UCF.
20 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida Position: Wide receiver Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
21 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
In his only season at Florida in 2025, he started in every game, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Florida, he spent two years at UCLA (2023, 2024) and two at Cal (2021, 2022).
22 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Dillon Wade, Auburn
Position: Guard Height: 6-3
Weight: 313 pounds
Spent five years in college (final three at Auburn, first two at Tulsa).
He started all 12 games at left guard as a senior and 34 consecutive starts overall.
23 / 23
Green Bay Packers undrafted free agents 2026 in photos
Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Position: Tight end Height: 6-5
Weight: 249 pounds
Spent three years at UMass, one year at Utah Tech before finishing college career at Wake Forest in 2025. He played in 12 games with 11 startsat Wake Forest with 21 catches, 228 yards and two touchdowns.
