The Green Bay Packers have already made some big moves this off-season. Signing OG Aaron Banks and CB Nate Hobbs added two immediate starters to the roster at positions of concern. It is likely that they are more moves to come as Green Bay has made it clear that Jaire Alexander is on the trade block and they will have needs at wide receiver and pass rush.
One of the lesser known, but extremely important aspects of Green Bay’s coaching staff got some high recognition.
Breaking: Packers’ Coaches Get Big Nod From The NFL
According to Packers editor Mike Spofford:
For the second time in less than 15 years and third time in just over 30 years, the Packers have been honored as having the Ed Block NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year.
The announcement on the winner for 2024 was made last weekend at the Ed Block Courage Awards event in Baltimore, Md., with Green Bay’s staff in attendance.
The award is voted on by the Professional Football Athletic Training Society (PFATS) and recognizes one NFL athletic training staff annually for its distinguished service to the club, community and profession. It is named for Ed Block, the head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts from 1954-77.
The Packers’ athletic training staff is comprised of vice president of player health and performance Bryan Engel, director of sports medicine/head athletic trainer Nate Weir, assistant athletic trainers Kurt Fielding, Erin Roberge and Brandon Kukal, and assistant athletic trainers/physical therapists Andrew DePietropaolo and Ali Ghaisarnia.
The Packers previously won the award in 2011, when Pepper Burruss was the head of the department, and in 1992, with Domenic Gentile as its leader. Fielding has been a member of all three recognized staffs.
In April of 2024, Green Bay promoted Engel to vice president of player health and performance and Weir to director of sports medicine/head athletic trainer. The move clearly paid off, and the Packers have now received this honor twice in the past 15 years and three times in the last 30 years.
Often times, the healthiest team at the end of the season has the best odds to make a post-season run. That will be no different in 2025 when this team takes the field.
They’re coming off back to back playoff appearances, the next step will be a Super Bowl appearance.
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