Tag: Keisean Nixon

Keisean Nixon on returning to Packers: ‘I want to make this home’

Keisean Nixon probably could have made more money in free agency, but the All-Pro wanted to return to the Packers, and he wants to stay in Green Bay long term.

Keisean Nixon might have had an opportunity to make more money elsewhere on the free-agent market, but the Green Bay Packers’ All-Pro kickoff returner (and likely starting slot corner) loved his first season in Wisconsin and was dead set on returning in 2023.

Nixon explained the process of re-signing with the Packers during a recent conversation with Larry McCarren of the team’s official site.

“I didn’t really want to go anywhere. I had conversations with my agent, and I feel like it was the best situation was for me to come back here regardless of what other teams offered,” Nixon said. “I got here, I got comfortable, and I met so many gerat people. I want to make this home.”

In his first season with the Packers, Nixon returned 35 kickoffs for an NFL-high 1,009 yards and one touchdown (NFL long 105-yarder vs. Vikings). He also forced a fumble and tallied his first career interception over 289 defensive snaps at cornerback.

His explosiveness and playmaking at returner combined with the versatility to play in the secondary likely made him an attractive option for many teams in free agency, but Nixon decided to return to the Packers on a one-year, $4.25 million deal that featured a $1.85 million signing bonus. The team added four void years to spread out the cap hits and drop his 2023 cap number to just under $2.8 million.

Nixon said he couldn’t wait to get back in the building and re-connect with friends such as Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, De’Vondre Campell and Rasul Douglas.

And what’s in store for 2023? Nixon is ready to build on his breakout season.

“I don’t feel like I accomplished much last year. All I did was get my name out there. This will be the year I show them who I really am. What I bring to the table wasn’t a fluke.”

The Packers are expecting Nixon to be the primary kickoff returner and a key contributor in the secondary. In fact, coach Matt LaFleur said Nixon will be his Day 1 nickel corner between Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas.

Nixon likes the fit and believes his biggest impact will come on defense. LaFleur didn’t rule out the idea of playing Nixon on offense as well.

Nixon and the Packers will have another decision to make on his future next offseason. His contract will void following the 2023 season.

[lawrence-related id=91915,91798,91370,91111]

Keisean Nixon, Rasul Douglas want Packers to bring back Marcedes Lewis

Count Keisean Nixon and Rasul Douglas among those who want the Packers to bring back TE Marcedes Lewis.

All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon has only one thing left on his offseason wishlist for the Green Bay Packers: Bring back tight end Marcedes Lewis.

Nixon made his wish known in a Twitter post on Tuesday night.

“Bring 89 back,” Nixon wrote.

Cornerback Rasul Douglas echoed the sentiment while sharing Nixon’s post: “He’s the definition of a leader.”

Lewis, who turns 39 later this year, is an unrestricted free agent after his contract with the Packers voided. Signed in 2018, he’s played the last five seasons in Green Bay, serving mostly as a valuable in-line run-blocker at tight end.

The Packers drafted Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third round, improving the depth and giving the offense two “all-around players” at tight end, but Lewis could be an important mentor to both, a valuable bridge player as the two rookies learn the NFL game and a capable blocker for the run game.

The Packers have left the door open on a return. In fact, the team handed out several uniform numbers to rookies but kept open the No. 89, Lewis’ number.

According to Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co., Lewis is open to returning to the Packers.

Money could be an issue. Over the last two seasons, Lewis made almost $8 million combined, including a $3.96 million salary last year. The Packers are getting younger and may not want to spend precious cap dollars on a soon-to-be 39-year-old tight end. But Lewis’ value goes beyond the numbers, and bringing him back could ensure the right type of leadership is in place as the Packers transition out of the Aaron Rodgers era and into the Jordan Love era.

Since the Packers hired Matt LaFleur in 2019, Lewis has played at least 400 snaps and at least 40 percent of the offense’s snaps each season. Despite his age, Lewis has missed just one game in five seasons in Green Bay, playing in 81 of a possible 82 regular season games and all five playoff games.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Keisean Nixon will be Packers’ expected starter at nickel cornerback

Matt LaFleur said Keisean Nixon will be the Packers’ Day 1 nickel cornerback in 2023.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t just bring back Keisean  Nixon for his kick-returning abilities. The team also sees him as a starter on defense to open 2023.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Nixon, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Packers, will go into the season as the expected starter at nickel – or slot – cornerback.

“Day 1, he’s going to be our nickel,” LaFleur said at the NFL Annual Meetings. “We’re going to give him every opportunity to earn that position, just like we do every guy, but Day 1, he will be our nickel, and it will be up to him to make sure he owns that position over the course of the season.”

Nixon led the team with 145 coverage snaps from the slot cornerback position last season, although the Packers had two others – Rasul Douglas and Darnell Savage – with over 100 slot coverage snaps. Douglas opened the year as the starting nickel, while Savage eventually moved into the slot after losing his starting spot at safety.

Nixon gave up 19 catches on 24 targets for 200 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception when covering from the slot last season.

Nixon’s expected role in the slot connects with Rasul Douglas playing perimeter cornerback, his best position, according to LaFleur, and Eric Stokes’ uncertain recovery timeline from last season’s ankle injury. Savage is expected to start the season at safety.

If Stokes isn’t ready to go to start 2023, the expected starting trio of cornerbacks would be Douglas and Jaire Alexander outside with Nixon in the slot, although LaFleur made it clear that the cornerback will be a competitive position where even veterans have to earn snaps once Stokes returns. The Packers will also continue moving Alexander around to occasionally match up with No. 1 receivers, something he did effectively over the second half of last season.

Nixon was the primary slot cornerback in six games last season: Week 3 vs. the Buccaneers, Week 4 vs. the Patriots, Week 9 vs. the Lions, Week 12 vs. the Eagles, Week 13 vs. the Bears and Week 15 vs. the Dolphins. The Packers were 4-2 in those games and gave up 24.5 points per game.

[lawrence-related id=91911]

Packers open to using All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon on offense in 2023

Packers coach Matt LaFleur is open to using All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon on offense next season.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur wants All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon to continue getting better in the return game and lock down a role as the slot cornerback, but he’s also open to using Nixon – who he called “a dynamic player” – on offense next season.

Might there be a package or two in the works for Nixon in 2023?

“I was joking with him, I said, ‘Hey, you never know, there might be some opportunities offensively.’ And I know he was fired up to hear that,” LaFleur said Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meetings in Phoenix. “If he can handle it, I’ve got no problem putting him in there in some situations on offense. But we got to make sure that we take care of that nickel spot first and foremost and continue to progress as a returner because he hasn’t done it very long.”

The Packers used a one-year deal to re-sign Nixon, who led the NFL in kickoff return yards and kickoff returns over 50 yards last season. His combination of straight-line speed, agility and vision made him the most dangerous kick returner in football over the final two months of the regular season.

It’s possible those same attributes could help LaFleur’s offense, possibly as a jet motion option or on other gadget-type plays. Getting the ball into his hands in easy ways and allowing Nixon to transform into a returner on offense could be one avenue for creating explosive plays or at least giving defenses more to think about in 2023.

First things first: Nixon needs to win the nickel spot. On Monday, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s expecting Nixon to get more opportunities to be on the field in the slot in 2023.

LaFleur also said Nixon needs a little more discipline as a returner, citing a few returns in the season finale against the Lions when he didn’t follow the return scheme.

[lawrence-related id=91800,91792]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Packers expecting Keisean Nixon to play more nickel snaps in 2023

The Packers are expecting Keisean Nixon to play more in the slot in 2023. Is this a telling sign that Rasul Douglas will play more at safety?

Did Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst drop a hint at how his team wants to line up in the secondary next season?

In an answer related to re-signing Keisean Nixon during Monday’s availability, Gutekunst said he’s expecting Nixon to play even more snaps in the nickel (slot corner) next season.

“We’re really excited about not only the return stuff, but we think he’s going to see a lot more time in the nickel this year, and we’re all really excited about that because when he was in there, he was impactful,” Gutekunst said.

Nixon, an All-Pro kick returner, played 244 snaps in the slot last season, with the majority coming over six games (Weeks 3-4, Week 9, Weeks 12-15). When covering from the slot, Nixon gave up 19 catches on 24 targets for 200 yards and intercepted one pass on 145 total coverage snaps, the most among Packers cornerbacks while in the slot.

How will the Packers arrange the secondary if Nixon is playing more snaps in the slot?

One easy answer: Rasul Douglas could move to safety. In this scenario, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes would play on the perimeter at cornerback, Nixon in the slot and Douglas at safety, with Darnell Savage mixed in as a backup option in the slot and at safety.

Nixon playing more in the slot just doesn’t work number-wise if Douglas remains at cornerback. Stokes is returning from a season-ending ankle injury and will be an expected starter, and Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in football. Both are best when playing on the outside.

Douglas has the size, play-style and tackling ability to make the transition. He’s excellent playing with his eyes on the quarterback and might be better suited for reading and reacting from a safety alignment. Last year, the Packers started Douglas out in the slot, but he eventually moved back outside after Stokes went down and Nixon played more inside.

The Packers want Nixon on the field more on defense in 2023, and the easiest path to accomplishing this personnel idea is giving Douglas a chance to play safety.

[lawrence-related id=91790,91785,91782,91780]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Addition of 4 void years puts Keisean Nixon’s cap number at $2.5M in 2023

The Packers added four void years to Keisean Nixon’s one-year deal to create $1,480,000 of cap savings in 2023 (and $1,480,000 of dead cap in 2024).

Thanks to void years, Keisean Nixon will count around $2.5 million on the Green Bay Packers’ salary cap in 2023.

Adding four void years (through 2027) to his one-year deal allowed the Packers to spread out Nixon’s $1.85 million signing bonus over five seasons on the cap, lowering his cap hit in 2023 from $4,000,000 (without voids) to $2,520,000, saving $1,480,000.

As a result, when Nixon’s deal voids next year, the Packers will take on a $1,480,000 dead money hit on the salary cap because the four years of prorated bonuses ($370,000 times four void years) will accelerate to 2024.

Void years continue to be a lever the Packers are willing to pull – both in new contracts and restructures – to create cap relief in the present while kicking the proverbial can down the road.

By using void years in this situation, the Packers were able to bring back an All-Pro kick returner at around one percent of the team’s total cap in 2023 while still giving Nixon a big pay raise (made $965,000 last year). Some of the bill be paid next year, but the Packers will be in much better financial shape in 2024, especially once Aaron Rodgers is traded and his contract is wiped from the books.

You can view Nixon’s contract structure on Over the Cap.

[lawrence-related id=91148]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Keisean Nixon’s new contract with Packers includes $1.85M signing bonus, $2M incentives

Keisean Nixon’s new deal with the Packers has a base value of $4 million and $2 million in available incentives. If not void years were used, his cap number will be $4 million.

The one-year contract signed by Green Bay Packers kick returner/cornerback Keisean Nixon includes a $1.85 million signing bonus and up to $2 million in available incentives, per Aaron Wilson.

The deal has a base salary of $1.35 million and includes per game roster bonuses of $29,412 ($500,000 total) and a workout bonus of $300,000.

In other terms, this is a one-year deal worth $4 million with another $2 million in available incentives.

The incentives are tied to playing time, interceptions and Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

The Packers might have used up to four additional void years to spread out the signing bonus over five years on the salary, but it’s unclear if the deal is one year with four void years or just a simple one-year deal with no voids.

Without voids, Nixon’s cap number in 2023 would be an even $4,000,000. It’s simple math: $1.35 million base salary plus $1.85 million signing bonus plus $500,000 roster bonus plus $300,000 workout bonus. The incentive portion of the deal (pushing the max value to $6 million) does not count on the 2023 cap but could be realized in 2024.

His cap hit could be lowered by $1.48 million in 2023 with four void years added.

Nixon played last season on a one-year, $965,000 league minimum deal in Green Bay. He was a first-team All-Pro after leading the NFL in kickoff returns, kickoff return yards and long kickoff return.

[lawrence-related id=91079]

Packers re-sign All-Pro KR Keisean Nixon on 1-year deal

The Packers are bringing back All-Pro kickoff returner Keisean Nixon on a one-year deal.

The Green Bay Packers are bringing back All-Pro kickoff returner Keisean Nixon.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers re-signed Nixon on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on Monday.

The singing came just one hour into the NFL’s legal tampering period.

Nixon, who began his career with the Raiders, arrived in Green Bay on a one-year deal last March. He played almost 300 snaps in the slot but exploded onto the scene as a kickoff returner, earning first-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage. He also had the NFL’s longest kickoff return of the season when he produced a 105-yard kickoff return touchdown against the Vikings in Week 17,

The deal gives Nixon a big pay increase in 2023 and the opportunity to hit the open market again in 2024 if he can repeat the feat next season.

Nixon, 25, played in all 17 games for the Packers in 2022. He returned 35 kickoffs for 1,009 yards and one touchdown and 11 punts for 140 yards. He also made 23 tackles, intercepted one pass and forced one fumble.

[lawrence-related id=91060]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Packers All-Pro KR Keisean Nixon expected to reach free agency, will have strong market

The Packers want Keisean Nixon back, but he is expecting to reach free agency and will have a strong market, per Bill Huber of SI.com.

The Green Bay Packers want cornerback/kickoff returner Keisean Nixon back on a new deal in 2023, but the 2022 All-Pro is expected to reach free agency and have a “strong market,” per Bill Huber of SI.com.

Nixon, who signed a one-year deal with the Packers last March, played 289 snaps as a slot cornerback last season but made his biggest mark as a kickoff returner. He led the NFL in kickoff returns (35), kickoff return yards (1,009) and kickoff returns over 50 yards (five), and his 105-yard touchdown return against the Vikings was the NFL’s longest of the season.

While the Packers understandably want to keep a 25-year-old player who was named a first-team All-Pro in 2022, it’s possible Nixon wants to expand his role as a slot cornerback and will find more money and more guaranteed dollars from a different team in free agency.

The two-day legal tampering period should give both the Packers and Nixon a good understanding of where the market is at for his services. Once the team and player both have a better idea, a deal to return could fall into place.

The Packers have 14 unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents to deal with during this period. The team has around $24 million in cap space, but the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers is providing a hurdle as the Packers attempt to put all the financial puzzle pieces together this offseason.

Huber also reported the Packers want to bring back veteran safety Adrian Amos, but Amos and Nixon are both expected to reach the start of free agency on Wednesday without a new deal.

[lawrence-related id=91075]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Packers get major impact from minimum free agent contracts last 2 seasons

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst keeps striking gold on cheap veteran finds. Can he unearth another impact player this offseason?

Given the team’s salary cap situation, the Green Bay Packers likely aren’t going to have the opportunity to make a big splash in free agency as they did in 2019. However, as Brian Gutekunst has shown, this reality doesn’t mean that high-impact players can’t be added to the roster.

Over the last two seasons, Gutekunst has brought in De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, and Keisean Nixon. All three played on relatively small contracts, and all three had a huge impact in Green Bay.

Campbell played the 2021 season on a $2 million deal. He was eventually named an All-Pro after finishing sixth among linebackers in tackles and fourth in total stops. He allowed the second-fewest yards per catch and had the fewest missed tackles, according to PFF.

That same season, Green Bay signed Douglas off the Arizona practice squad. Douglas earned less than a million dollars during that year with the Packers while holding opponents to a catch rate of 51%, along with coming away with five interceptions and seven pass breakups.

Most recently, Green Bay brought in Keisean Nixon last offseason, who, like Campbell, was named an All-Pro after being the most dynamic kick returner in the NFL. Nixon earned $965,000 in 2022 and was the only return man with over 1,000 kick return yards. He also finished with the third-best kick return average and the second-best average on punts.

“Give a lot of credit to Richmond Williams, John Wojciechowski, our pro scouting staff; they do a great job,” said Gutekunst, via Packers.com. “We have a process we believe in very much, and I think the key to that is working that process each and every day and understanding the opportunities that present themselves. It can be at any time, and sometimes you’re ready to make that opportunity work for you, and sometimes you’re not, but it’s got to be a process each and every day, and those guys do a great job of it.”

In total, that’s two All-Pros, two players on second contracts with the Packers, and potentially a third in Nixon this offseason, and less than $4 million in total contract value was spent to bring these players in.

This also goes to show that these impact players can really be found at any time. Nixon wasn’t signed until the second week of free agency in March. Campbell was brought in over the summer, while Douglas was an in-season addition.

Where the next Campbell, Douglas, or Nixon is going to come from remains an unknown, and realistically, there may not be one. It’s not as if finding this level of impact on near-minimum deals is a common occurrence, although Gutey has proven otherwise as of late. However, positions that Green Bay should be looking to add to in free agency include receiver, safety, tight end, and interior defensive lineman.

If the Packers are going to bounce back in 2023, regardless of who is under center, those biggest improvements are likely going to have to come internally from players already on the roster. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to come through jumps from players entering Years 2, 3, and 4. Free agency can help supplement a few positions; the draft will hopefully bring in a few contributors, although most rookies are very inconsistent, and anything beyond either of those things is a bonus.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1361]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]