The Packers’ special teams have been abysmal to start the year. They rank 32nd in special teams grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and 27th in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA).
Rich Bisaccia is the highest-paid special teams coordinator in the league but has yet to justify Green Bay’s investment. The unit is a mess. However, Daniel Whelan has quietly emerged as an MVP candidate for the Packers.
Against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Whelan punted five times for 284 yards, averaging 56.8 yards per punt. This is the second-best single-game average in Packers history, behind Roy McKay’s 61.6-yard average on five punts in 1945 against the Chicago Cardinals.
Whelan not only excelled in punting but also saved the game-winning field goal with a crucial hold on a bad snap. He quickly placed the ball in time for McManus to kick, securing the Packers’ win.
I do it every day, so it’s nothing new for me,” Whelan said of the hold on the last-second field goal. “I don’t even think about it. I see the ball and put it down. Everyone says ‘good hold,’ but it’s just the same for me.”
After the game, Matt LaFleur praised Whelan: “Not only is he an outstanding punter, but he’s a hell of a holder too. He’s definitely the best I’ve ever been around.”
Whelan is a top-eight punter according to Pro Football Focus. He has the third-best hang time average and is top ten in net yards per punt attempt. Furthermore, he has two games with 50.0+ net yards per punt and four games with over 46 yards per punt.
Whelan is arguably the best player on the Packers right now. He just keep delivering bombs every Sunday. If he maintains this pace, he should contend for All-Pro honors. He is single-handedly saving Rich Bisaccia’s job right now.
