Yes, this is a long snapper story. The Green Bay Packers are still searching for the right one, but the long snapper currently on the roster has an opportunity to take a big step toward winning the job on Friday night.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said Friday’s preseason game against the New Orleans Saints will be a “big” one for Jack Coco, who beat out Steven Wirtel and was effective during the joint practices but is still competing for the roster spot in Green Bay.
“I think he’s been a little bit of a rollercoaster, but we’re excited about where he is at this particular point. This will be another big game for him,” Bisaccia said Thursday. “I think he understands that he’s competing against 31 other teams. Just because there’s not another one here doesn’t mean we’re not looking at everyone around the league or guys that may not be playing now. So, I think he knows he’s in constant competition.”
Coco snapped for two punts and four field goals or extra points during the Packers preseason opener last Friday night in San Francisco and didn’t have a notable issue.
Achieving some level of trust through consistency is the next step. And a chance to snap during a live preseason game is the perfect stage.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers could still acquire a veteran long snapper if the need arises, but the team is otherwise happy with Coco’s progress at this point in training camp.
Bisaccia said the Packers liked Coco’s size, history as a position player (tight end) and “tremendous” work ethic coming out of Georgia Tech.
The Packers don’t have many question marks entering the 2022 regular season on offense and defense. The starters are fairly well-defined on both sides. The special teams are a different story, especially with Mason Crosby still recovering from knee surgery and the long snapper battle still unfolding. Amazingly, Coco’s snaps will be something worth watching at Lambeau Field on Friday night.
It’s unclear who the Packers would target at long snapper if Coco isn’t the answer, although Bisaccia’s special teams experience and connections around the league probably mean he has a long list of potential candidates.
