On March 13, the Green Bay Packers signed receiver/return specialist Skyy Moore to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. With performance incentives and his signing bonus, the fifth-year veteran could earn up to $4.5 million in 2026.
Moore spent the 2025 season mired at the bottom of the San Francisco 49ers‘ receiver depth chart, unable to grasp the details of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook. What made him attractive to the Packers was his ability to return kicks and punts, something he has done well throughout his career. That is where the connection between Moore and Green Bay sparked: the Packers’ desperate need for special teams help.
Compared to other salaries doled out by Green Bay and other NFL teams, Moore comes fairly cheap. Of the off-season moves administered by the Packers, the under-the-radar investment may prove to be the most savvy if he can contribute any sort of production.
Moore’s career began when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the 54th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after a highly successful collegiate stint at Western Michigan. He was named as an All-MAC receiver twice, once as a freshman in 2019 and again two years later. In 2021, Moore grabbed 95 receptions for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns.
As a rookie, Moore caught a touchdown pass in Kansas City’s 38-35 win in Super Bowl LVII over the 49ers. Injuries limited him to 20 games over the next two seasons, and he only caught 21 total passes in 2023 and 2024 combined.
The Chiefs shipped Moore to San Francisco during the 2025 preseason. He played in all 17 regular-season games, but he only caught five passes last year, and his value was as a return man. His 33 kickoff returns for 907 yards (27.5 avg.), a career high, ranked sixth in the NFL, and he added 25 punt returns for 291 yards (11.6 avg.), ranking seventh in the league.
Green Bay is looking to improve upon its dreadful history of underwhelming special teams play. The Packers ranked 29th (out of 32) last season in special teams EPA (expected points added), according to TruMedia. They ranked 30th over the last four seasons under former special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. They ranked 31st over the last 10 seasons.
Here is a breakdown of Green Bay’s punt return statistics in 2025, the area they hope Moore will solidify:
After signing Moore in March, Green Bay’s general manager, Brian Gutekunst, made no secret of why the Packers coveted the return man.
“Over the last four or five years, particularly with special teams players, we’ve tried to identify and acquire some of them. This was really no different. It happened to be as a returner,” said Gutekunst. “I do think Skyy’s got more in the tank on offense as well. I’ll be interested to see how Matt (LaFleur), once he gets to know him, how he sees him and how he’ll use him on offense. 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.”
Cam Achord, Green Bay’s new special teams coordinator, knows the athleticism Moore brings to Titletown after his solid 2025 campaign.
“Had a solid year,” he said. “Done a lot of good things with the ball. He’s gotten better every year. If you go back and look at it more, he didn’t do it in college. Then you see him, he gets to Kansas City does it and then he doesn’t do. In San Fran, he actually had a very productive year. I’m excited to work with him, along with the other guys that are going to be back there.”
While he only played one year in San Francisco, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey knew Moore had something special.
Every time the ball is in his hands, he’s playing with no hesitation, he’s fast, and he’s physical, and he runs really hard,” McCaffrey said. “Any time he gets the ball, I just love the way he hits it.”
What’s your take? Post it in our free sports community at stadiumrant.app, or download Stadium Rant on the App Store.
Although Moore will most likely spend little time as a receiver, his career path is strikingly similar to that of one of Green Bay’s most famous acquisitions.
Think back: In 1996, the Packers had been knocking on the postseason door for three previous seasons, but could not break through to the Super Bowl. In the summer, Green Bay signed a wide receiver/returner who had underachieved for his first three NFL years to an inexpensive one-year deal. While this player did not factor much in the offense, his impact on special teams was undeniable. He led the Packers to a world championship, winning MVP honors in Super Bowl XXXI.
His name was Desmond Howard, and he, like Moore, was on his third team in less than five years. Howard had something to prove. Packer Backers hope Moore does, too.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
