Keisean Nixon Agrees to Re-Sign With Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After Monday’s rollercoaster of big additions and subtractions, the Green Bay Packers reportedly retained cornerback and two-time All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon on Tuesday.
The Packers also announced they re-signed tight end Tyler Davis and cornerback Corey Ballentine.
The big news, however, was Nixon. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Nixon and the Packers agreed to a three-year contract worth a maximum of $19.2 million.
Nixon's career in Green Bay began as a primary special-teamer who had familiarity with coordinator Rich Bisaccia from their time together with the Raiders.
His career took off when he supplanted Amari Rodgers as the team's primary returner at about the midpoint of the 2022 season. Nixon finished the year ranked No. 1 in kickoff-return yards and No. 3 in kickoff-return average.
Nixon's highlight came on the first day of 2023, when he returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown in a big late-season game against the Vikings. It was the first since Randall Cobb housed the opening kickoff against the New Orleans Saints in 2011.
Nixon returned to Green Bay a year ago on a one-year deal with a chance to be the team's starting nickel corner, as well.
Nixon delivered. He once again was the All-Pro returner, and he had some nice moments as the team’s slot defender for all 17 games.
Of 32 defensive backs with at least 200 slot snaps in 2023, he ranked 16th with a 98.2 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus. From the slot, his catch rate was 79.4 percent and he allowed 535 yards. Both were among the worst in the NFL, but he allowed less than 10 yards per catch and just one touchdown.
With the NFL potentially changing the rules to facilitate more plays in the return game, that could give Nixon more opportunities with the ball in his hands. That was something that frustrated Nixon in 2023 as his opportunities were few and far between, especially in the early stages of the season.
"I think it's big for me, my accomplishment." Nixon said after receiving All-Pro honors.
"But kudos to everybody, it always starts with the return unit, but for me, my accomplishment, it showed my work. Last year was the first time me ever doing it, and (I made) All Pro. First full year. I thought I was going to get the same opportunities as last year, and it was nowhere near it, but I still managed to have a good year. It was a blessing man. I'm happy."
Nixon had some big plays both in the return game and as a defensive back.
His biggest play of the season came against the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Packers leading 24-19 in the fourth quarter against the eventual Super Bowl champions, Nixon saw Patrick Mahomes make a move he had seen before.
“We were watching mannerism tape earlier in the week and Mahomes tapped his knee, and they put two off the ball and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this before.’ I knew he was going to run it, and he ran it,” Nixon said after the game.
Nixon's gamble paid off. The Packers won 27-19 in what was their biggest win of the season to date.
Nixon nearly had one of the biggest plays and biggest mistakes of the Packers' season all in one when he broke off a big kickoff return against the San Francisco 49ers in the division playoffs. Nixon fumbled but was saved by Eric Wilson's johnny-on-the-spot recovery.
When any season ends, uncertainty reigns. That's especially true for a player who has his contract expiring.
Nixon was no different, but he made it clear where he wanted to be.
"Man, this s*** mean everything to me, man," Nixon said after their season-ending loss to the 49ers.
"I feel like I grew so much as a person, more than just a football player. The moment I signed my contract and put that ‘G’ on my helmet, man, it means everything. They pour everything into me in this organization and I pour everything back into them and two All-Pros later."
Nixon got his wish, and will now have some long-term security to keep that ‘G’ on his helmet.
Ballentine was a great story. Over the course of two years, he played on four teams and didn’t see a single snap on defense. With Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes sidelined by injuries, Ballentine started six games and was second on the team with seven passes defensed.
Davis, one of Bisaccia’s favorites on special teams, missed last season with a torn ACL but will be ready before the start of training camp.
