Packers bring back Keisean Nixon
The two time All Pro played a career high number of snaps from scrimmage last season.
By PackerAaron
The #Packers are bringing back their All-Pro returner, signing Keisean Nixon back to a 3-year, $18M deal that can go to $19.2M max. One of their priorities.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
Last season, the two time All Pro returner played a career-high 937 snaps from scrimmage, per PFF, mostly at nickle corner while compiling 80 tackles, 6 pass deflections, and half a sack.
Expect Nixon to have some competition at nickle when the Packers open training camp this summer.
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Comments (53)
CoachJV
March 12, 2024 at 03:49 pm
Smart move. We need his return abilities. We also resigned Ballentine... He a good zone player for when we need it.
It's getting like Dodgeball around here with LaFleur, Valentine (Lazer) and Ballentine (Blazer)... LOL
splitpea1
March 12, 2024 at 04:16 pm
This is somewhat surprising. He was real bargain his first year here, a bit less so last season, and now he has cashed in with a three-year deal that seems to be in line with top slot corners. We get his kick return skills, too, so that factors into the equation--I guess that All-Pro status, even if last year was a little exaggerated, costs extra money.
I don't know. "Tepid" would be my assessment of this signing. It's nice to have some experience at the position, but three years is a lot for Nixon's slot defender skills. I am looking forward to the competition likely to be coming in.
CoachJV
March 12, 2024 at 04:21 pm
Maybe Hafley sees a good way to use him that Barry didn't. His return skills can't easily be found or replaced. He's a pretty good blitzer from the slot. Also a willing tackler. It's not too bad I don't think.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 11:50 am
He's the hungriest player on the team! What that's worth in terms of pay I have no way to gauge, but his presence brings a lot. I don't know if he counts as "veteran leadership," but I think they're better with him.
I won't mind if he gets beaten out of the D and only plays as a returner. I'd also like to see #11 taken out of that rotation.
Tater
March 12, 2024 at 05:09 pm
Per over the cap, he made 965K in '22 and 2.77M in 2023 so this is a bit of a raise for him.
LeotisHarris
March 12, 2024 at 05:52 pm
I can live with "tepid" splitpea. If you'd chosen torpid or fetid, I'd be comin' at ya!
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 11:51 am
Damn the torpids, right? ;)
MainePackFan
March 12, 2024 at 06:57 pm
I agree Splitpea. As much as I love Nixon as a returner, his play at slot was somewhat "tepid" at best. The fact that, as Nags points out, we need to bring in competition for a guy we just signed for 18M seems odd.
Furthermore, I struggle to see how Nixon is worth 18M, yet we couldn't find 6-7M to keep Aaron Jones even with the Jacobs signing. Some of these moves by Gutekunst baffle me. Trust but verify I guess. GPG!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 11:54 am
Yup, curiouser and curiouser. It'll be interesting to see the 90 man roster come day 1 of OTAs. Also, I have to assume Gutey doesn't have advanced knowledge of what players will and won't agree to, so there's a bit of a crapshoot involved now, too. If he had the hindsight we have now, he just might want a re-do on some of these moves. (Especially Rasul Douglas and #33)
Oppy
March 16, 2024 at 09:07 am
Agree 100%.
He did not perform well on defense as a whole.
I would have rather moved on from Nixon having a lead role in the slot, but agreed that it could make sense to keep him as an experience backup. I don't like the contract.
harleycops
March 12, 2024 at 04:35 pm
This is a good move to bring back K.N. He's a returner who has experience and stats to back it up. He's a returner who is always a threat on the kickoff. If he gets us 2+ TD and/or consistent great field position, then his 3 yr contract is worth it. With our offensive guns loaded and ready to fire, getting the ball around the 40-50 yd line is a bonus. Guter is on his game this off season. And we're not even at the draft yet. Can't wait for those moves to happen!
LeotisHarris
March 12, 2024 at 05:57 pm
" He's a returner who is always a threat on the kickoff."
Yes, a serious threat to take it from six to eight yards deep in the end zone out to the 17 yard line. Still, I like what he brings to the team, just rein him in on those decisions. No green lights for Keisean
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 13, 2024 at 10:16 am
LH,
Spot on! Very frustrating to constantly see us field position on kickoffs.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 13, 2024 at 10:17 am
I like the fact he stays on the field! He is not sitting in the hot tub or cold tub all the time.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I'm curious to see final season stats of #25's ending field position after ALL returns. Was it a net negative as compared to simply taking the touchback / free catch every time? I think so but am not sure. Then you have to factor in penalties, and if it's fair to include or exclude those if he did not commit them.
He did run it well past the 25 a few times, and that can change a whole game. He also got stopped short of the 25, a LOT. And sooner or later, when you run it well past the 25 but it gets called back to starting short of that due to penalty, ya gotta foresee that.
There's room for improvement, and Rich Bisaccia is part of that equation. It kills #25 every time he doesn't try to return it; he always thinks he's going to take it to the house.
jont
March 13, 2024 at 03:59 pm
It doesn't specify kick-offs, and I can't find the source, but there's some drive-start info here:
https://steelersdepot.com/2023/12/study-the-steelers-are-getting-crushed...
On all drives, GB is #5 in best starting field postion as of week 12 (I think) last season.
Matt
March 12, 2024 at 04:51 pm
I like to see him back. His play is so refreshing, especially after what we experienced in returning game earlier. The point is if this price is adequate. Current rules on kick returns take a big part of his production away. If returns were played as in the past - I would consider this price good. Now, when rules benefit fair catch, I hope Nixon will take next step as a corner to live up to the contract.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Either that or they use him as a specialist because he gets beaten out at CB, and #11 isn't used as a returner anymore. He's our WR1, the risk of injury isn't worth it IMHO.
stockholder
March 12, 2024 at 05:08 pm
This is a good move .
But it's Temporary.
A 3 year contract- LOL there.
jannesbjornson
March 13, 2024 at 10:00 am
Draft two more safeties and two more CBs. He's a slot dime guy. Now move up for Q.Mitchell.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:11 pm
We don't know if this contract is easy to get out of, that would create a lot of dead cap, or what. It'll be interesting to see those details when they come out.
golfpacker1
March 12, 2024 at 05:37 pm
Bears just signed Jonathon Owens
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:12 pm
How many TDs is GB going to score running past him?
mnbadger
March 13, 2024 at 12:33 pm
That's easy to answer - three!
Per game!
GPG!
Doofapotamus
March 12, 2024 at 05:49 pm
It's not that I mind the move, I mind the price tag. I appreciate Nixon's return ability (even though it wasn't great last year) but his coverage leaves a lot to be desired. 6m a year is a ton of money for a guy whose main job is returning kicks. Hopefully this move doesn't rob a better FA of an opportunity to play for GB.
Duneslick
March 12, 2024 at 06:57 pm
Way too much for a returner. Hes backup quality as a corner or slot. If he is starting he will be the target for opposing offenses
CoachJV
March 13, 2024 at 07:51 am
That might not be true. Hafley may know how to get the production because he may know better how to use Nixon
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:15 pm
I'm hoping for exactly this! I'm hoping the McKinney signing tells us that Hafley MLF and Gutey are on the same page and working well together.
Time will tell ...
Bitternotsour
March 12, 2024 at 07:18 pm
How about if it's a one year deal for 6 million, would that make you happy? Cause essentially that's what it is.
dobber
March 13, 2024 at 02:34 pm
Very true: the devil's in the details--or the guarantee and bonus structure in this case. I haven't seen the terms, yet, so I'll reserve judgement.
Doofapotamus
March 13, 2024 at 03:20 pm
No, 6m is still a lot of money for a KR/CB.
Grimm
March 12, 2024 at 05:59 pm
I wonder if he could learn the Safety position? I can see him as a good rotational DB, but I hope they can get better in the nickle. His coverage skills might be more in line with a safety picking up TEs and RBs. regardless probably a good signing.
NickPerry
March 13, 2024 at 05:15 am
THIS.... I'm thinking they may try him at Safety too...
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:17 pm
I'm just hoping our new DC reviewed all his film, has ideas, and MLF & Gutey are on the same page with him. If so, I think we'll have a good team ...
dobber
March 13, 2024 at 02:43 pm
Certainly they're paying him too much money to just return kicks. You can get dynamic returners out of the draft or after cutdowns in August.
If they're paying him this much, it means they see him--right now--as being one of the "5" in the 4-2-5. I think they must've allowed Hafley to weigh in on this.
They've done a nice job of shoring up the top of the CB depth chart. They've brought back everyone from the top of the depth chart at the end of 2023--Alexander, Stokes, and Valentine were under contract, they've now resigned Ballentine and Nixon.
With Stokes' situation, it would be nice to add another CB in the early rounds, but they don't have to feel pressured to do something on Day 1.
golfpacker1
March 12, 2024 at 06:24 pm
Willie Gay to the Saints-1 year $3 million. How did we miss that?
Josey Jewell to the Panthers. We were interested, but missed.
My favorites, Devin White and Bobby Wagner are still available
.
Starrbrite
March 12, 2024 at 09:13 pm
Golf—I like either/or —Wagner first.
golfpacker1
March 13, 2024 at 09:29 am
Starr, I think Wagner could be a really important, yet reasonable signing for Green Bay. I get he is older and some posters bring up he isn't as good in coverage as he used to be. He led the whole freaking NFL in tackles last year with 183!!! 183!!!
Maybe he has lost 1/2 a step, but his experience makes up for it. Not only would our run defense become way better but think of what he can teach our other LBs about playing the position. That alone would be invaluable. We don't need him for more than 2 years @ $6 million per. It gives us a bridge to the next guy we draft and a great leader to boot.
golfpacker1
March 13, 2024 at 09:22 am
Apparently 2 cowards didn't like the news about the most recent LB signings.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:18 pm
I've noticed this too, thanks for typing it out.
Leatherhead
March 12, 2024 at 06:35 pm
He was one of the few Packer DBs who played in all 17 games last year, and he played pretty well against Dallas and SF. It's not possible to have too many guys who can cover, and if it is, I've never seen it. I think this is a good move again.
Of course, I wouldn't risk him injuring himself, or turning it over, on kick returns. But that's another discussion.
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Bitternotsour
March 12, 2024 at 07:08 pm
We both know how to keep that injury from happening. It's almost like the Bob Ueker joke about catching a knuckle ball. Wait for it to stop rolling...
Packers0808
March 12, 2024 at 06:53 pm
See the Latest one now A Rodgers is in the running to be Kennedys VP choice to run for the Presidency this fall. What next is Rodgers craziness going to go too?
Bitternotsour
March 12, 2024 at 07:20 pm
bringing in the dude bro vote. birds of a feather.
golfpacker1
March 12, 2024 at 08:24 pm
I guess Kennedy doesn't realize how unpopular Rodgers is.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Or you don't realize how unpopular Kennedy is.
Either way, this registers less than .00001%
Starrbrite
March 12, 2024 at 09:10 pm
Another smart move—-rock on Gutey!!
Go Packers!!!
NoNonsense
March 12, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Last year was Nixon's first year playing slot full time. Do we not think he can improve there especially with a new coach and scheme? Obviously they are not paying him that much to just be a return man. If Gute re-signed him that means that Hafley sees something he likes from him on defense.
As for his return ability, he could become a bigger factor if the owners approve the (XFL) proposed kickoff rule changes. Kickers kick from the 30, both teams then line up 5 yards apart and only the kicker and the returner are allowed to move until the ball is caught. Touchbacks bring the ball out to the 35 so they are encouraged to keep it out of the endzone.
Just watched some clips of the XFL kickoff and its actually a great idea. Allows for quite a few different strategies and sure makes it less boring. I hope they adopt some form of it.
Between Nixon and Reed and maybe Watson GB could do some damage there.
SicSemperTyrannis
March 13, 2024 at 12:22 pm
A fair catch brings it to the 35?!?
BOO!!!
Take #11 out of the returner role entirely, and don't even THINK about letting #9 do that.
NoNonsense
March 13, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Nope, a touchback brings it to the 35 so there is incentive to keep it out of the endzone on the fly. However if the kick lands on the ground inside the 20 and rolls into the endzone the drive starts at the 20.
A kick that doesn't make it to the 20 yrd line or that goes out or bounds gets brought out to the 45 yrd line. I think I read that a fair catch inside the 20 puts the ball at the 20 yrd line so it should result in more returns.
I do think there could be some tweaks to the proposal before they vote on it but I'm in favor of them trying something to avoid the concussions while increasing the number of returns. Right now the kickoff is pretty lame as it stands. Zero returns on 13 kicks in the SB.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2024 at 01:43 pm
But I thought the league wanted to reduce injuries on kickoff returns by making it less likely the kick gets returned.?? These changes almost guarantee there'll be a return.
I don't get it. And why would you fair catch a kickoff if nobody can move until you catch it?
NoNonsense
March 13, 2024 at 02:17 pm
I don't know, I'm not sure of that part of it may not have a rule for fair catch inside the 20. My guess is if there is its only I'd you wanted to avoid a fumble by the return man when tackled I guess. Late game situations when leading maybe.
They want to avoid the high speed collisions from players running full speed into each other and the way the coverage and blocking units line up solves that problem. Gotta see it in action to truly appreciate how it works.
Starrbrite
March 13, 2024 at 03:53 pm
An excellent explanation Nononsense. The return game is back.