GREEN BAY, Wis. — Keisean Nixon needs to be accomplished returning kicks, and never simply because the two-time All-Professional return man fumbled the opening kickoff within the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
As a substitute, he needs to focus full time on his defensive duties as cornerback. And never simply any cornerback.
“I need to be CB1,” Nixon mentioned Monday as gamers cleaned out their lockers for the offseason. “CB1 will not be doing kick returns. That is simply what it’s.”
Nixon moved right into a extra prolific position on protection this previous season after taking part in principally in a part-time position because the slot or third cornerback within the Packers’ nickel packages in earlier seasons. The addition of second-round decide Javon Bullard within the draft final April allowed new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to maneuver Nixon outdoors to a full-time cornerback spot whereas taking part in Bullard within the slot.
Nixon performed on 93.7% of the Packers’ defensive snaps through the common season after taking part in 72.8% of the snaps through the 2023 season and simply 28% p.c in 2022. Nixon was named All-Professional kick returner in 2022 and 2023.
As a cornerback, Nixon posted a career-high seven cross breakups, a career-high and team-leading three pressured fumbles, and an interception this season.
Nixon was by no means a fan of the brand new kickoff return guidelines carried out earlier than this season. He had solely 18 return makes an attempt this season after getting 65 the earlier two seasons mixed. His common of 29.3 yards per return was truly greater than in his two All-Professional seasons.
“I am type of over it; I do not actually need to do it no extra,” Nixon mentioned. “There’s going to be talks with the teaching employees and stuff like that, however I feel it is over with for me.”
Jaire Alexander has been the Packers’ No. 1 cornerback, however accidents have restricted his availability. He performed in solely 14 of a potential 34 regular-season video games the previous two seasons. He didn’t play after Week 11 this season and completed on injured reserve due to a knee harm.
Nixon and Carrington Valentine have been the highest two corners in Alexander’s absence.
Alexander’s future with the group is doubtful heading into the offseason. He has two years left on his contract however is owed no extra assured cash. He’s scheduled to make $17.5 million this season.
Alexander declined to talk with reporters Monday, saying, in response to WGBA-TV, that he did not have something good to say so he wasn’t going to speak.
Nixon has two extra years left on a three-year, $18 million contract he signed final March.
As for Nixon’s fumbled kickoff on the primary play of Sunday’s 22-10 loss to the Eagles, he mentioned he recovered it. At the very least one replay appeared to help his declare, however the turnover stood after an official replay assessment.
“I assumed we recovered the ball, simply, what they confirmed on the massive board,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned after the sport. “What I used to be listening to from our guys upstairs … all of them thought it was our ball, however clearly the league felt in a different way.”
Stated Nixon: “I received the ball again for certain.”
Nixon additionally mentioned Eagles linebacker Oren Burks ought to have been penalized for the hit that brought on the fumble.
“It ought to have been concentrating on, helmet to helmet,” mentioned Nixon, who missed the primary defensive play of the sport after his fumble as a result of he was getting checked by the medical employees. “However cannot dwell on that. By no means been hit that onerous both.”
