The Green Bay Packers generously opened up free agency with a gift for new special teams coordinator Cam Achord. On Tuesday, Jordan Shultz reported that the Packers were signing former San Francisco 49ers WR/returner Skyy Moore to a one-year deal.
Sources: The #Packers are signing former #49ers WR/returner Skyy Moore to a 1-year deal.
Moore averaged 27.5 yards per kick return and 11.6 yards per punt return in San Francisco — a key weapon for field position. pic.twitter.com/djQdGROv1e
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 10, 2026
Bringing in another wide receiver adds depth, especially with Romeo Doubs heading to New England, but the real thrill here is Moore’s return ability.
The Packers don’t want former All-Pro Keisean Nixon returning kicks with his increased role on defense, and they have never found a true answer at punt returner recently. Achord has a proven history with kick returners, and this move gives him a fun welcome present.
So, what is Green Bay getting with their newest wide receiver?
Moore was one of my target free agents for this exact reason. A perfect number 5/6 WR with legit punt and kick return ability. Plus familiarity in Shanahan’s offense. Love love love this signing. https://t.co/EtAuZ55Mov
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) March 10, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted the speedy receiver in the second round of the 2022 draft. He never truly found success on offense, even with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. In three years with Kansas City, Moore played in 36 regular-season games and caught 43 of his 74 targets for 494 yards and one touchdown.
However, Moore found some success in the postseason. In the final minute of the 2022 AFC Championship, a critical 29-yard punt return set up Harrison Butker for the game-winning kick. He scored his first career touchdown against Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII the following game.
Unfortunately, Moore didn’t play in Super Bowl LVIII due to an injury and missed most of the 2024 season with a core injury. Kansas City sent him to the 49ers for a late-round pick swap, where he rejuvenated his career.
It wasn’t as a wide receiver, even though the 49ers needed help there. San Francisco only targeted Moore seven times, catching five for 87 yards. Instead, Moore became an electric returner for Kyle Shanahan.
Moore was a punt returner as a rookie and returned a few kicks in his first two seasons. However, he thrived as a returner in San Francisco. He handled kicks and punts, returning 33 kicks for 907 yards (27.5-yard average) and 25 punts for 291 yards (11.6-yard average). Moore didn’t score, but he made some jaw-dropping long runs, including a 98-yard kick return and a 66-yard punt return. He was a core part of a successful 49ers special teams unit.
Skyy Moore…
The #Packers have an actual kick returner. pic.twitter.com/Q0wKCZ79xU
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) March 10, 2026
“Every time he gets the ball, we feel he’s got a chance to go,” Kyle Shanahan said last season.
This is Green Bay’s second attempt at making a former Kansas City second-round pick their return man in as many years. Last season, the Packers signed Mecole Hardman to a similar short-term deal. Hardman struggled in his limited time in Green Bay, causing the Packers to move on quickly despite no other clear answer on the roster.
What makes this signing different?
First, Moore is coming off a successful season. He reinvented his career and found a valuable role. If he builds off of his success in California, he could be a really fun player for Green Bay.
Moore is also two years younger than Hardman. But the real difference comes down to having a new special teams coordinator and another year with no answer at the position.
Achord coached two All-Pro punt returners in his time with the New England Patriots while also piling up kicking return yards. He carried that success to his next stint as the assistant special teams coordinator with the New York Giants. It’s an area we know Achord coaches well. To improve their special teams room, the Packers must settle on a good returner.
Moore is a smaller, speedy receiver. At 5’10”, 195 lbs., he’s not the type of receiver Matt LaFleur typically likes to employ. That’s one reason they haven’t found a solution at punt returner. They’re typically smaller than LaFleur prefers.
LaFleur powered through without one, risking Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed before making Romeo Doubs the primary returner. Without a dedicated specialist, the Packers ranked 32nd in punt return yards the past two seasons. And kick returner hasn’t been much better, even with Savion Williams handling Keisean Nixon’s discarded duty.
Last season’s end was an eye-opener in many ways for the Packers. Maybe a willingness to sign Moore and give him more of a chance than Hardman had is a sign the Packers are moving in the right direction with their regard for special teams.
Moore may even get a chance for a few designed plays on offense. LaFleur can be crafty. But this is clearly a move with special teams in mind, and that’s great.
Hell yeah buddy. Do I remember when Swervin' Ervin turned the return game around? I sure do. Give me something simply not-disastrous in the return game and I'm a happy camper. From everything I've seen, Moore should be a massive upgrade. https://t.co/JEiGo1XUK7
— Dusty (@DustyEvely) March 11, 2026