Cory's Corner: Time To Move On From Nixon #Packers #GoPackGo
Cory's Corner: Time To Move On From NixonPackers Column: Why Green Bay Must Move on From Keisean Nixon
The Green Bay Packers must trade cornerback Keisean Nixon following contract friction and an attempted training camp "hold-in" that signals he is a liability to the team's championship culture. While Nixon subsequently returned to the practice field on Day 2 of camp, attributing his Day 1 absence to a sudden case of "hamstring tightness," the message was already sent. Dissatisfied with the three-year, $18 million contract extension he signed in 2024, Nixon reportedly believes his status as Green Bay's CB1 warrants elite cornerback money in the $12 million to $15 million range.
Paying that premium — or even letting him occupy the top spot on the depth chart—would be a catastrophic mistake for general manager Brian Gutekunst. The reality of the modern NFL is that elite boundary cornerbacks must lock down the league's top wide receivers. The cold, hard statistics show that Nixon is fundamentally incapable of filling that role reliably.
While Nixon did land 17 pass breakups last season (tying him for sixth in the NFL), his aggressive and erratic style of play repeatedly compromised the secondary. The analytics paints an undeniable picture of a defender who gets targeted and beaten far too often to be trusted as an every-down cornerstone.
Nixon allowed an astronomical 105.2 passer rating in coverage. When opposing quarterbacks look at tape of the Green Bay secondary, they do not fear Nixon; they actively look to exploit him. If you’re a bona fide, CB1, quarterbacks throw in the other direction. But with Nixon, quarterbacks routinely challenge him. And because of that, Nixon committed 11 penalties last season — many of them critical downfield pass-interference or holding calls — kills defensive momentum and routinely hands opposing offenses new sets of downs. He also
Even Nixon himself admitted his on-field flaws when speaking to reporters at training camp:
“Just going over the film and watching the mistakes I made and just some of the dumb penalties that I gave up just not understanding the level of [playing outside cornerback] and what it takes,” Nixon said. “I'm definitely ready to prove myself again this year.”
While owning up to those flags is a step in the right direction, the Packers cannot afford to wait around for a 29-year-old converted slot defender to figure out boundary mechanics while simultaneously demanding a massive raise. I mean, let's be honest. Nixon made his hay as a special teamer and moved to a larger role in the secondary due to injuries and a lack of depth.
Green Bay's front office has already insulated itself against a potential Nixon departure. During the offseason, the Packers signed cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to a $5 million deal and drafted explosive defender Brandon Cisse in the second round. When Nixon staged his brief opening-day absence, it was Cisse who immediately stepped into the first-team reps, earning glowing reviews from head coach Matt LaFleur. Alongside returning starter Carrington Valentine, the youth movement in Green Bay is primed and ready to take over.
Nixon has done admirable work reinventing himself from an undrafted special teamer into an All-Pro kick returner. However, his utility on special teams has waned due to shifting kickoff rules. Trying to leverage a brief training camp hold-in for elite CB1 money is a gamble he simply does not have the on-field resume to support. With a new defensive system being implemented under coordinator Jonathan Gannon, the Packers cannot afford contract drama from a player who is statistically holding the defense back. Gutekunst should pick up the phone, extract whatever draft capital a needy cornerback market will offer, and officially usher in the Brandon Cisse era in Green Bay.
Filed Under: Packers NewsFeaturedGreen Bay PackersCory JennerjohnCory's Corner
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Keisean Nixongreen bay packersPackers training camp
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