After a few seasons with Keisean Nixon as an All-Pro returner, the Green Bay Packers went back to square one last year. Savion Williams and Bo Melton handled most of the kick returns, with Romeo Doubs taking over as a punt returner. The results were underwhelming at best, so general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the issue in free agency, signing former second-round pick Skyy Moore to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

Versatility as a returner, curiosity on offense

The big motivation behind the Packers’ addition is that Moore can impact multiple areas on special teams. Last season for the San Francisco 49ers, he returned 25 punts and 33 kickoffs, getting decent numbers in both.

“Last year was one of the first years he really had an expanded role as a returner and he did an outstanding job,” Gutekunst said at the Annual Owner Meeting. “He was one of the best guys that did both [kickoff and punt] in the league last year. As we went through that and had the opportunity to get him, that was something with our special teams that we needed to add. So excited to get him and see what he can do for us.”

But when the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Moore back in 2022, the expectation was around his impact as an offensive player. He hasn’t had more than 250 receiving yards or more than 300 scrimmage yards in a single season, but Matt LaFleur has a strong track record creating roles for athletic players — it’s impossible not to remember Tyler Ervin. And after Dontayvion Wicks’ trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Moore’s path to an offensive role is clearer.

“I do think Skyy’s got more in the tank on offense as well,” Gutekunst added, “and I’ll be interested to see how Matt, once he gets to know him, sees him and how he’ll use him on offense.”

Special teams investment

Despite the lack of recent success on special teams, Gutekunst has been willing to sign players specifically for this area. Skyy Moore is the latest example, but the roster also has players like Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch, Bo Melton, Kitan Oladapo, Chris Brooks, Josh Whyle, and Arron Mosby, all who are on the team at least in a significant part because of their roles on teams.

“Over the last four or five years, more so than we ever have before, we’ve really tried to target some special teams guys, whether it be through free agency, the draft, or whatnot, and try to improve that group,” Gutekunst explained. “We’ve improved in a lot of areas. But the return game last year was not where I wanted it to be, and I’m excited to get Skyy into the fold.”

The Packers didn’t have much cap space to make huge investments, so their free agency plan was very intentional. It’s not a coincidence that they went after a special teamer with some offensive upside, and Skyy Moore was the ideal fit for that scenario.