Packers moving on from special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton

After a poor year from the special teams, the Packers are moving on from Maurice Drayton.

The Green Bay Packers‘ special teams cost them time and time again throughout the 2021 season, most notably in the divisional round loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers blocked a field goal and then blocked a punt for the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

These mistakes were all too common throughout the year for the Packers.

Major changes were needed at special teams in the offseason. Bringing in a new special teams coordinator won’t fix everything — more work is required — but it was an expected move.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton will not be returning in 2022.

Drayton spent one season as the Packers’ special teams coordinator. He had been the assistant special teams coach from 2018 before being promoted last year after Shawn Mennenga was fired.

A fresh start was likely needed, yes, but not all of this falls on Drayton. While general manager Brian Gutekunst has done a phenomenal job of building a championship roster on offense and defense, where this team has lacked talent has been special teams.

Long snapper was an issue all year long and Gutekunst didn’t fix it. The Packers have also needed more quality at various positions on special teams.

Green Bay has struggled in just about every area of special teams.

Kick returns. Punt returns. Kick return coverage. Punt return coverage. Turnovers. Allowing blocked kicks and punts. Missing kicks. It’s been a problem all season long.

It’s about time the Packers placed more of an emphasis on special teams. They don’t need to have the league’s best unit, but they can’t be anywhere near as bad as we saw in 2021 or it could, again, cost them in the playoffs.

Drayton wasn’t given much help, but a change at special teams coordinator was to be expected.