Tag: Keisean Nixon

Keisean Nixon no longer wants to return kicks, and Packers just signed All-American returner

In what is certainly just a coincidence, the Green Bay Packers signed an All-American kickoff returner just a day after All-Pro Keisean Nixon said he no longer wants to return kickoffs.

In what is certainly just a coincidence, the Green Bay Packers signed an All-American kickoff returner just a day after All-Pro Keisean Nixon said he no longer wants to return kickoffs in a league using the “dynamic” kickoff.

The intriguing addition to the offseason roster is speedy receiver Tulu Griffin, who led the nation in kickoff return average in 2022, scored kickoff return touchdowns in 2021 and 2022 and finished his collegiate career at Mississippi State with 1,640 kickoff return yards. Griffin, who signed a futures deal with the Packers, runs 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands despite a lack of size (5-10, 181).

Griffin was voted an All-American kickoff returner for several publications coming off the 2022 season.

While most players signed to futures deals are longshots, it’s possible Griffin will get a chance to succeed Nixon returning kickoffs in Green Bay.

Nixon was an All-Pro after leading the league in returns and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023. He returned only 18 kickoffs and had just one return over 40 yards during the 2024 season.

Nixon isn’t only frustrated with the new kickoff rules, but his focus entering the 2025 season appears to be developing as a perimeter cornerback after he moved from the slot to the outside and thrived to end the 2024 season.

Coach Matt LaFleur said he’d talk with Nixon following his comments during locker cleanout day, so it’s possible Nixon will be convinced of staying on returns for Rich Bisaccia’s special teams in 2025. But if Nixon truly is a starter at cornerback, and another option like Griffin emerges, it’d make sense to take him off returns.

Griffin averaged an FBS-best 32.3 yards per kickoff return in 2023 and averaged over 30.0 yards per kickoff return during each of his first three seasons at Mississippi State. Across 54 career returns, Griffin averaged 30.2 yards with touchdown returns of 100 yards (2021) and 92 (2022).

The Packers are unlikely to keep a player on the 53-man roster who only returns kickoffs, given how infrequently the play actually happens even with new kickoff rules. Griffin would have to prove capable as a receiver or gadget weapon within LaFleur’s offense to have a chance. During his final collegiate season, Griffin caught 50 passes, averaged 2.25 yards per route run, had six catches of over 20 yards and forced 11 missed tackles.

Griffin went undrafted in 2024. He signed the Las Vegas Raiders after the draft and later spent time on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns after being released by the Raiders at the end of training camp. Over two preseason games, Griffin returned three kickoffs for 90 yards, averaging 30.0 per return.

Keisean Nixon believes he recovered own fumble on opening kickoff vs. Eagles

Packers returner Keisean Nixon thought he recovered his own fumble on the opening kickoff of Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.

Both Green Bay Packers kickoff returner Keisean Nixon and coach Matt LaFleur believe Nixon recovered his own fumble on the opening kickoff of Sunday’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The play was reviewed but the call on the field — a recovery by the Eagles at the 28-yard line — stood, and Philadelphia scored the game’s first points three plays later.

“I got the ball back for sure,” Nixon said Monday, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “Should have been targeting, helmet to helmet, but can’t dwell on it. I’ve never been hit that hard.”

Nixon fumbled after being hit hard by former Packers linebacker Oren Burks. After losing the ball, Nixon did appear (at least from the overhead view) to momentarily regain possession before the ball was battled for in the mass of bodies within the pile. But the NFL stuck with the call on the field.

The controversial turnover — creating a jarring start for the underdog Packers — gift-wrapped the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

Nixon’s coach also believed the call would be reversed after review, especially after LaFleur saw the replay in the stadium and got an opinion from assistant quarterbacks coach Conner Lewis in the booth.

“I thought we recovered the ball,” LaFleur said, via Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “Just what they showed on the big board, what I was hearing from our guys upstairs … they all thought it was our ball. Obviously the league felt differently.”

Jalen Hurts threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson on the third play of the Eagles’ ensuing drive.

The start was a sign of things to come for the Packers, who turned the ball over four times and lost the turnover battle 4-0 in the 22-10 loss to the Eagles.

Packers CB Keisean Nixon’s play in 2024 earns approval from coaching staff

Packers CB Keisean Nixon was praised by the coaching staff for his work playing in the slot and on the perimeter.

When the Green Bay Packers handed Keisean Nixon a three-year, $18 million contract extension during the offseason, it wasn’t just to return kicks. The expectation was that Nixon would also be a key contributor on defense, which is precisely what he’s been throughout the season.

Nixon has started 11 out of 13 games for the Packers and played 93 percent of the defensive snaps. Originally the starting slot corner, Nixon was moved primarily to outside corner early in the season, bringing his gritty playstyle with him.

His 65 total tackles rank fifth on the team, while his two forced fumbles are tied for the team lead. Naturally, corners are primarily judged on their performance in coverage, and Nixon had plenty of good moments in that area as well.

With four games to go, he has already tied his career-high for pass breakups with six. Last week, Nixon made one of the biggest defensive plays of the game when he picked off Jared Goff at a crucial time during the second half.

Down 17-7 at halftime, the Packers opened with a 70-yard touchdown drive to make it a three-point game. Nixon kept the momentum going by intercepting Goff and returning the ball 16 yards to the Detroit Lions’ 16-yard line to set up a quick touchdown for the offense. Green Bay ultimately lost to Detroit via a walk-off field goal, but Nixon’s takeaway put them in great position to score and take the lead during the third quarter.

Additionally, after breaking up a pass intended for Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown earlier in the game, Nixon ended up finishing with the second-highest coverage grade among corners in Week 14, according to Pro Football Focus.

“I think he’s taken his game up another level,” Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “He’s a guy that’s shown the ability and gotten better and more consistent in his football in terms of going out there and performing.”

Primarily a special teamer during his first three NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Nixon has earned the trust of the Packers’ coaching staff and has taken advantage of his opportunities to show off his unique skill set on defense.

“Kei’s a guy that we’ve got a lot of confidence in, and he’s shown the versatility to play not only inside but to go out on the outside. Not everybody can do that,” LaFleur added.

While Nixon has the support of his head coach, his play this season has been a heated debate amongst the fanbase. Per PFF, Nixon has surrendered the most touchdowns on the team and is tied for the most penalties. He has also allowed 40 receptions on 60 targets for 358 receiving yards.

Despite a mixed bag of statistics, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has stepped up to defend Nixon, emphasizing the demands placed on him and his ability to handle a fluid role on defense.

“I think Keisean probably should be getting more credit than he’s getting for everything we’re asking him to do,” Hafley said of Nixon after his first start at outside corner against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.

Regardless of how fans might feel about Nixon, he is entrenched as a defensive starter and will likely remain as the starting outside corner opposite of Jaire Alexander, who appears to be getting closer to making his return to the field.

This past offseason, Green Bay wasn’t about to let Nixon walk after he earned his second-consecutive All-Pro nod as a kick returner. In 2024, Nixon’s impact on defense has been undeniable, a development fully embraced by the Packers.

Keisean Nixon talks Packers WRs: ‘I really think they complement each other’

Keisean Nixon on the Packers receivers: “All those young guys can go, for real.”

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon thinks Romeo Doubs is the most difficult Packers receiver to cover in practice, believes Bo Melton is a sleeper entering 2024 and is confident all the young receivers complement each other well in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Nixon, who re-signed with the Packers this offseason, had good things to say about all five of the Packers top receivers: Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton.

“All those young guys bring their own aspect to the game. J-Reed is explosive, strong. Wicks runs great routes. I think Christian Watson can take the top off guys. I really think they complement each other,” Nixon told Kay Adams of “Up and Adams.” “All those young guys can go, for real.”

The Packers return their top eight receivers from last year. And all eight are either second- or third-year players, providing Jordan Love with a deep, young and ascending group of pass-catchers around him.

Asked about the toughest cover in practice, Nixon picked Doubs — who caught eight touchdown passes in the regular season and then produced 10 catches and 234 yards over two postseason games.

“Probably Rome,” Nixon answered. “I think Romeo has got a lot to him that a lot of players don’t have. He really catches everything.”

Doubs hauled in 101 passes during his first two NFL seasons.

And don’t forget about Melton, who caught 15 passes and had a 100-yard receiving game over the final three regular season weeks before catching a touchdown during the postseason.

“The sleeper in the room is Bo Melton. Bo came in at the end of the year and played great for us,” Nixon said.

Melton caught a long touchdown pass during a team period in OTAs and is firmly entrenched into a role featuring his elite speed and mentality for run blocking.

Others competing for snaps and a roster spot at receiver this summer include Malik Heath, Grant DuBose and Samori Toure.

Listen to the entire interview with Nixon below:

Keisean Nixon on re-signing with Packers: ‘I didn’t want to go nowhere else’

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon didn’t want to leave in free agency and is glad he’s back on a new three-year deal. 

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon didn’t want to leave in free agency and is glad he’s back in Green Bay on a new three-year deal.

Nixon and Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst agreed to a deal worth $18 million with $6.5 million guaranteed in March.

“I’m happy I’m back here,” Nixon said Tuesday. “This is where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to go nowhere else. I’m happy my agent and Gutey and them got everything done. Here for at least another three (years).”

Nixon, an All-Pro kickoff returner for the Packers each of the last two years, served as the team’s primary slot cornerback in 2023. He’ll be expected to keep the job in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

Nixon said he has experience working in a defensive scheme similar to Hafley’s from previous seasons with the Raiders.

“I’m comfortable with (the scheme),” Nixon said. “I like Coach Haf and what’s he’s bringing to the table and his design of the defense. It’ll a little different than how I played it, but it makes sense.”

Asked about the aggressiveness of the defense, Nixon said, “Yeah, run and hit, for sure.”

Nixon also said he’s getting familiar with the new NFL kickoff rules and trying to learn more by watching XFL film.

“I’m excited. It’s going to be good. They have to give me the ball, so we’ll see,” Nixon said.

Hear more from Nixon below:

Returns in free agency helped raise the floor at CB for Packers

Free agency helped raise the floor of the cornerback position for the Packers, giving them some flexibility heading into the draft.

Cornerback remains a need that should be on GM Brian Gutekunst’s radar during the NFL Draft, but how the Packers went about free agency at this position did help raise the floor of this group.

Before free agency, the depth of this unit was a fairly big concern. After Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, and Eric Stokes, the only players on the roster were Zyon Gilbert and Anthony Johnson–two practice squad players from 2023.

However, during free agency, the Packers would re-sign Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell.

The return of Nixon gives the defense a starting nickel cornerback that they can rely on. Before Nixon was re-signed, the Packers didn’t have an obvious slot cornerback on the roster, with Alexander, Valentine, and Stokes all being boundary cornerbacks throughout their careers, making that a major need that would have to be addressed.

Every NFL GM wants flexibility going into the NFL Draft, to be able to let the board dictate their actions, rather than feeling like they have to take a specific position early on. Had the Packers not re-signed Nixon or at least added a starting-caliber nickel in free agency, drafting a slot cornerback early on would have been a near must.

Last season, in his first full season as a defensive starter, Nixon held opponents to under 10 yards per catch and forced five pass breakups with one interception. Nixon was also a willing run defender and found some success as a blitzer late in the season.

“The nickel position has become more and more important in our league,” Brian Gutekunst said. “Having a guy who can do multiple things, not only cover but be an instinctual guy that can take the ball and also play against the run just because of how much those guys are involved. That position in particular has become more and more valuable…Keisean really fit us, not only as a player but in the locker room as well.”

Ballentine, meanwhile, provides some needed experienced depth. Due to injuries, Ballentine was called upon often last season, playing 534 snaps. He was very capable of helping out against the run and able to challenge and limit pass-catchers.

Very quickly, and that’s the purpose of free agency, the Packers’ cornerback room is in much better overall shape with Nixon and Ballentine back in the mix.

However, that also doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t address the position in the draft either. There are still some unknowns around what is one of the more important positions in the game.

Stokes missed most of the 2023 season and before his injury in 2022, he was having a down year. I’m not sure anyone truly knows what to expect from him when he’s back on the field. The hope is that Valentine takes that Year 2 leap, but that is never a given either.

Although Nixon is back manning the slot, that is an upgradeable position for the Packers, and the draft will present them with options to do so. Michigan’s Mike Sainristil, Florida State’s Jarrian Jones, and even Iowa’s Cooper DeJean could be moved inside.

Long-term depth should always be a point of emphasis for teams in the draft, and looking beyond 2024, there are, again, some question marks around that for the Packers. Ballentine is only signed to a one-year deal, while this is the final year of Stokes’ rookie deal.

The good news for the Packers is that this is a very good cornerback class. In Daniel Jeremiah’s most recent top 50 prospects big board, seven cornerbacks were listed–the second-most among all position groups. On top of that, with five picks in the top 100 and 11 selections in total, Gutekunst will have the opportunity to address this need.

With how the cornerback room is currently constructed, adding to it isn’t an absolute in the draft by any means, but at a premier position, it would be a prudent move to make.

Jeff Hafley excited to have Keisean Nixon back as Packers slot CB

Re-signing Keisean Nixon was a “high priority” for Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, and new DC Jeff Hafley sees Nixon as a good fit at slot CB.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is excited to finally have “stability” at slot cornerback after re-signing Keisean Nixon, who played 809 snaps on defense and was the team’s starter in the slot from start to finish in 2023.

Gutekunst said re-signing Nixon was a “high priority” this offseason and also confirmed that new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley sees Nixon as a fit in his scheme.

“We’re excited about what (Nixon) can do for our defense. I think bringing in Jeff Hafley and give him some time to really study Keisean and make sure that that was a fit was important,” Gutekunst said. “He’s very excited to have him back as well.”

Nixon, who signed a three-year deal to return, produced 80 tackles, six passes defenses, one interception and three tackles for loss over 17 regular season games in 2023. He opened training camp as the starting slot and never gave up the spot in the Packers secondary. And Gutekunst believes Nixon will improve in Year 2 as the starter.

“He did such a good job for us in his first year as a starting nickel, playing that many snaps on defense. We certainly think his best football is ahead of him,” Gutekunst said.

Nixon’s return and the signing of Xavier McKinney should lock in at least three starting spots in the secondary: Nixon in the slot, McKinney as the “post” safety” and Jaire Alexander on the perimeter. Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine are options opposite Alexander, and the Packers will likely draft at least one corner and one safety.

Gutekunst also expects adding competition in the slot, even if he brought back Nixon to be the anticipated starter in 2024 and likely beyond. The position — which is basically a starting spot in today’s nickel-heavy NFL — is increasingly valuable on every down.

“The nickel position has become more and more important in our league,” Gutekunst said. “Having a guy who can do multiple things, not only cover but be an instinctual guy that can take the ball and also play against the run just because of how much those guys are involved. That position in particular has become more and more valuable…Keisean really fit us, not only as a player but in the locker room as well.”

New contract details for Packers CB/KR Keisean Nixon

The Packers gave Keisean Nixon a $6.5 million signing bonus in his three-year, $18 million deal.

New contract details are in for Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon. According to Over the Cap and Ken Ingalls, Nixon’s deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus, a roster bonus of $2.8 million in 2025 and a 2024 cap number of under $4 million.

Nixon’s deal pays out $8.8 million in 2024 and $18 million over the three years. The only guaranteed money is the $6.5 million signing bonus. The Packers included $200,000 in annual workout bonuses and $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

The Packers are paying Nixon — a first-team All-Pro at kickoff returner in 2022 and 2023 and the defense’s starter in the slot in 2023 — as an expected starter and impact special teamer for 2024 and beyond. He turns 27 in June and is now under contract through his age 29 season.

Nixon’s cap number will be $3.99 million in 2024 and never rises above $7.2 million.

Here are the numbers and structure, via Over the Cap and Ingalls:

Year Base Signing Roster Per game Workout Cap number
2024 $1,125,000 $2,166,666 $500,000 $200,000 $3,991,666
2025 $1,170,000 $2,166,666 $2,805,000 $500,000 $200,000 $6,841,666
2026 $4,300,000 $2,166,666 $500,000 $200,000 $7,166,668
Total $6,595,000 $6,500,000 $2,805,000 $1,500,000 $600,000 $18,000,000

In terms of money paid out in 2024, Nixon currently ranks 23rd among cornerbacks. Even if he doesn’t play out the final year of the deal, Nixon will make $13 million across the first two years of the contract.

Nixon led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage in each of the last two seasons, and he played over 800 snaps on defense across 17 games in 2023.

New team but familiar faces for Packers RB Josh Jacobs

Running back Josh Jacobs will be joining a new team in the Packers but there were several familiar faces welcoming him to Green Bay.

New Green Bay Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs has spent his first five NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. But despite being on a new team and having just arrived in Green Bay, there were two familiar faces, Rich Bisaccia and Keisean Nixon, waiting to greet him.

Bisaccia and Jacobs would spend three seasons together in Las Vegas. Bisaccia joined the Raiders in 2018 as the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach before becoming the interim head coach for the latter portion of the 2021 season. Jacobs was then drafted during the 2019 offseason.

During their time together in Las Vegas, Bisaccia and Jacobs developed a close relationship that had a tremendous impact on Jacobs. So much so, in fact, that Bisaccia being in Green Bay was an important factor in Jacobs’ decision to join the team.

“Man, Coach Bisaccia,” said Jacobs with a smile, “I’m not going to lie. He was one of the main reasons I wanted to come here too, just knowing he was already here and dealing with him in the past.

“We’ve always had a tight relationship, and that year he was head coach, we had a lot of real conversations. We sat down, we talked about life and everything. To be around him and that energy he has every day, I think it’s going to be fun.”

Nixon, meanwhile, also spent his first three NFL seasons, from 2019 to 2021, with the Raiders, all of which overlapped with Jacobs’ time there as well, where the two formed a strong bond.

Both Nixon and Jacobs have stayed in touch over the last two years while they’ve been on different teams. If Bisaccia played an important role in Jacobs’ decision to come to Green Bay, then the conversations that Jacobs and Nixon have had since he joined the team have solidified that it was the right decision.

”We’ve talked a lot,” said Jacobs about his relationship with Nixon. “We’ve talked a lot. Like I said, he’s one of them guys that I always keep up with him too. Coming in, Keisean is very charismatic. He’s a charismatic guy.

“But man, we were talking last night about this place, and he told me how much it reminded him about college ball and how much there’s just a real genuine love for football and what you do on a day-to-day basis. And he kind of sold me, I’m like yeah, he got me ready to play. But man, good dude.”

In addition to Bisaccia and Nixon, while Jacobs’ and Xavier McKinney’s decisions to sign with the Packers were independent of each other, each has a familiar face in one another to lean on as they acclimate to their new team and city. Both played at Alabama during the 2017 and 2018 seasons under Nick Saban.

Whether you’re an NFL football player or starting a new job of your own, joining a new team where there is already an existing relationship or two certainly helps with the transition and can make one feel at home a bit sooner.

In addition to joining a new team, which means getting accustomed to a new playbook and new play calls, along with being in a new city, there is the Green Bay climate – the winters – that will be a bit new for Jacobs as well.

Jacobs is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He played his college ball at Alabama and has spent his first five NFL seasons in Las Vegas. Of course, there have been away games played in the cold, but by and large, his home base has not been where the temperatures can be frigid.

While it will be different, as a running back, Jacobs is looking forward to playing in the cold because it will make him more difficult to tackle–a feat that has already proven to be challenging for opponents. During his All-Pro season in 2022, Jacobs led the NFL in missed tackles forced and ranked 11th in average yards after contact.

“Oh, as a running back,” said Jacobs, “you love playing in the cold because people don’t want to hit you. Then after a while you start to wear on them, and it makes it a lot easier. I think if I was (I think he said “another player”), I might be like, uhhhhh, but as a running back I love it.”

Packers re-signing CB/KR Keisean Nixon on 3-year deal

The Packers are re-signing CB and KR Keisean Nixon on a three-year deal.

The Green Bay Packers are re-signing cornerback and kickoff returner Keisean Nixon on a three-year deal worth $18 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Nixon, who turns 27 in June, started in the slot for the Packers last season and earned first-team All-Pro honors as a kickoff returner for the second consecutive season.

Over 17 games in 2023, Nixon produced 80 tackles, one interception, six passes defensed and three tackles for loss. His lone interception came in the second half of the Packers’ win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in December.

Nixon was heavily targeted in the slot. He gave up 65 catches on 84 targets for 626 yards into his coverage from the slot last season, per PFF. Nixon also missed 15 tackles. He must get better, but the Packers and new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley clearly like his potential in the slot.

Nixon’s value as a kickoff returner is also undeniable.

Over the last two seasons, Nixon has 65 kickoffs for 1,791 yards and one touchdown. He led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage in both 2022 and 2023, and his 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the longest kickoff return in the NFL in 2022.

Nixon becomes the second Packers free agent to re-sign, joining tight end Tyler Davis.