Green Bay Packers should sign a returner in free agency

The Green Bay Packers have overlooked the return game on special teams for far too long.

It’s about time that changed. In free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst should look into potential signings that could help improve the Packers’ special teams.

The Packers’ return game was woeful in 2021. On kickoff returns, they averaged a third-worst 17.7 yards. On punt returns, they averaged eight yards, ranking 21st in the NFL.

Amari Rodgers did improve in time for the playoffs, but he struggled on returns throughout his rookie year. Only Tyler Ervin has had any kind of success for the Packers in this phase of the game in recent years.

According to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, the Packers are among the teams interested in signing free-agent Ray-Ray McCloud, who has been a productive returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No player in the NFL had more punt return yards than McCloud in 2021. He had 367, averaging 9.7 yards per return. McCloud also averaged 22.2 yards on kickoff returns. In 2020, he averaged 23.1 yards on kickoffs and 10.3 yards on punts.

Another player Green Bay should consider signing is Jakeem Grant, who Packers will remember for his 97-yard punt return at Lambeau Field last season. Grant has been a second-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 2021.

Adding a returner capable of regularly setting the offense up in good field position would be a game-changer for Green Bay. For now, they would likely just be happy to have a returner who catches the ball and doesn’t make mistakes. But signing a player like McCloud or Grant would be a step further than that. Either player would make the Packers’ return game a strength.

Green Bay has one of the league’s best offenses and will get both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams back in 2022. Now give them strong field position and wish opposing defenses good luck.