The Green Bay Packers didn’t make too many big splashes in free agency—not that that’s particularly uncommon. But one of the most impactful moves they did make was re-signing All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon to a one-year deal.
Originally signed for cornerback depth and his special teams experience with Rich Bisaccia in Oakland-Las Vegas, Nixon had a true breakout year in his first season in Green Bay. Kick and punt returns in Green Bay were a “please just catch the ball” affair until Nixon took the job and became a bonafide star.
Despite not having the job to start the season, Nixon became an All-Pro returner thanks to his speed and tenacity. That campaign earned him another stint with the team. Nixon again looks poised to be the team’s primary returner, but he’s also expected to play a bigger role on defense in 2023. While Nixon could probably do it all, there’s danger in being a returner. Will the Packers throw caution to the wind or will they test out other options at returner this season?
If it’s up to Nixon himself, there’s no question he’ll be the primary returner once again. Despite inexperience — or no experience in the case of punt returns — Nixon took to the job like he was born for it. Nixon threatened to take it to the house every time he touched the ball and wants to build on his All-Pro year.
“I don’t even think about it cause I only had nine games there. Was it the best (in the NFL)? Yea. But it wasn’t my best,” Nixon said earlier this offseason.
Even with the NFL trying to limit kickoffs, statistically one of the most dangerous areas of the game, Nixon is unphased. The NFL approved a new rule this season where a returner can call a fair catch anywhere within their own 25-yard line. Nixon joked “Lol Fair Catch, What’s That?” on Twitter.
Nixon later claimed the new rule was “irrelevant.”
The sky is the limit for Nixon, but with his increased role on defense, the team may choose to rely on Nixon less on special teams.
Nixon is expected to be the team’s primary slot cornerback, with Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas on the boundaries. One area Green Bay’s defense struggled with last season was finding the right person for the slot job, and Nixon appears to be the solution. His elite speed, size, and relentlessness on every play make him uniquely suited among Green Bay’s cornerbacks to excel in the role. Even when Eric Stokes returns from injury, he’s best suited to a boundary role. Nixon’s services on defense will be required all year.
With such an important role, the Packers may wish to limit his role on special teams.
Nixon will certainly be the team’s primary kick returner. But the Packers might look for someone else to handle punt returns.
The obvious option is second-round pick Jayden Reed, who was an explosive returner at Michigan State.
Reed averaged 13.6 yards per attempt throughout his career with a 19.8-yard average and two touchdowns during his breakout 2021 season. Reed already saw snaps as a returner throughout OTAs and should continue to see work there once training camp begins.
Another option is running back Tyler Goodson, who saw some return work during last year’s preseason. We’ve been told that the third running back spot will come down to special teams’ contribution. Goodson may be the most explosive running back on offense behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon but hasn’t found a consistent role on special teams. Should he show some skill as a returner, that could make the difference in earning a roster spot.
Green Bay will likely experiment with other options throughout training camp. It pays to know what you might have regardless, and we may see some options we haven’t considered.
However, with a new quarterback and an unproven offense, it might be best to keep Nixon at both return spots to ease the burden on the offense. Great field position is a quarterback’s best friend, and a young returner might struggle.
“When they get ahold of that slicker ball, as a return guy, you see some muffs or fumbles from some young guys early until they get used there being a new ball in there. It’s not the same quarterback ball he’s catching as a receiver,” Bisaccia said on young returners.
My guess is Nixon continues to handle both jobs unless someone really pops during training camp. There’s risk in letting one man handle so many important duties, but Nixon is the team’s best option and won’t want to give up the role. Let’s see how the former Raider can build on his breakout year.
It’s thrilling that, for once, Green Bay has a return man of this caliber.
