Keisean Nixon’s Future in Green Bay: A Cloudy Picture at Cornerback
The Green Bay Packers are heading into the offseason with a few big questions to answer - and one of them is what to do with cornerback Keisean Nixon. GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t exactly clear things up when he addressed the media recently. In fact, if anything, his comments added to the uncertainty.
At first, Gutekunst downplayed the idea of major changes in the secondary, pointing to injuries as a key reason for the unit’s struggles. He even went as far as praising Nixon, saying he had a “very, very good year” and was among the league leaders in pass breakups. But just when it seemed like Nixon’s spot on the roster was secure, Gutekunst pulled back a bit, acknowledging that no final decisions had been made.
“We had some injuries there,” Gutekunst said. “(Nate) Hobbs was missed for most of the season.
Never really got going. I thought Carrington stepped in and did a great job.
He's a young player and is still getting better. Keisean, obviously, had a very, very good year.
He was in the top three in PBUs and did some really good things. Do we need wholesale changes?
No.”
That’s a lot to unpack. On one hand, Gutekunst is standing by his guys, especially Nixon.
On the other, he’s not exactly locking in his return. And when you look at the numbers, the picture gets even murkier.
According to Pro Football Focus, Nixon allowed receptions on 62.5% of his targets (55 of 88). He gave up 623 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, with only one interception to his name.
Opposing quarterbacks posted a 105.4 passer rating when throwing his way, and he surrendered 11.3 yards per completion. That’s not shutdown cornerback material - not by today’s standards, and certainly not by Green Bay’s expectations.
So why the praise?
It could be about positioning. The Packers could save $5 million in cap space by cutting or trading Nixon, and if they are exploring that route, building up his value publicly wouldn’t hurt.
Nixon still has tools - and versatility - that teams might find attractive. He’s shown flashes as a return specialist, though he’s been hesitant to fully embrace that role again.
If he were willing to take on special teams duties, that might change the equation for his future in Green Bay.
But if he’s not, and if the Packers believe they can get more consistent production elsewhere, moving on becomes a real possibility.
Gutekunst also emphasized that the team isn’t far off from where they want to be, suggesting that a full overhaul in the cornerback room isn’t necessary. That could mean they’re looking to develop younger talent like Carrington Valentine, who stepped in and held his own at times this past season. It could also hint at a draft-day move or a low-key free agent signing to bolster depth without making a splashy headline.
In the end, Nixon’s future in Green Bay comes down to fit - both on the field and in the budget. He’s a player with upside, but also one who struggled in key moments. The Packers have to decide whether they believe those struggles are fixable or if it’s time to turn the page.
For now, the door’s still open. But it’s far from a sure thing that Nixon walks back through it in green and gold.