With their new toys in the box and sights set on the upcoming season, we heard from the Green Bay Packers’ coordinators on Monday afternoon. Matt LaFleur’s top guys all got something new through free agency and the draft, but there are still a few mysteries to solve.
For special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, his biggest concern, kicker, was solved early in free agency with the signing of veteran kicker Brandon McManus to a three-year deal.
Last year’s kicking group is staying together, something that should make Bisaccia’s life a little easier after the past two years’ struggles. Now, his biggest concern will be something that seemed like a strength: returner.
Keisean Nixon was a back-to-back All-Pro kick returner in 2022 and 2023, but 2024’s kickoff rule changes and Nixon’s growing role on defense caused Nixon to sour on that role.
“I’m kind of over it. I don’t really want to do it no more. There’s going to be talks with the coaching staff and stuff like that, but I think it’s over with for me,” Nixon said.
Those statements, along with the dubious fit of Jayden Reed as a punt returner, cloud an important role.
But Bisaccia’s comments expressed optimism, and with new weapons in the room, he has plenty of options for the role. What does the future at kick and punt returner look like for the Packers?
Bisaccia first addressed Nixon’s comments, believing that his time returning kicks isn’t completely over.
“In my mind, he’s always going to be in the mix,” Bisaccia said, adding that cooler heads have prevailed since those heated comments.
Bisaccia on Keisean Nixon's utilization on kickoff returns: "In my mind, he's always going to be in the mix." Acknowledges nobody was in a good mood after what happened in Philly but it's a new year.
— Weston Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) May 12, 2025
Nixon’s initial statements came directly after the Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles; understandably, it was an emotional time. Nixon saw his role on defense grow as he became a preferred boundary corner, and with it seeming highly likely Jaire Alexander wouldn’t be back (a situation still not resolved), Nixon wants to focus on the CB1 role.
Teams were more likely to boot the ball in the end zone rather than risk Nixon returning one, so he had just 18 return attempts after tallying 30 in 2023 and 35 in 2022.
Nixon said that CB1s don’t do kick returns, and it’s not an unfair point. But while nothing is set in stone, Bisaccia doesn’t believe Nixon’s time there is over.
Jayden Reed, who was arguably the team’s WR1 (sorry, LaFleur), also probably shouldn’t be on punt returns, especially considering his drop issues. LaFleur needs to find better ways to get the ball in Reed’s hands, and taking him out of the special teams equation is a step in that direction.
Thankfully, there are plenty of new options for Bisaccia to test out, including free-agent signing Mecole Hardman and new draft picks Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
Keisean Nixon will be "in the mix" as a returner said Bisaccia. Mecole Hardman will compete as well, and Bisaccia added Golden and Williams could potentially help with past experience.
There will be options for the Packers to fill those roles.
— Paul Bretl (@Paul_Bretl) May 12, 2025
Hardman saw his Kansas City career start as a primary weapon, but by 2025, he had become mostly a returner. On 20 punt returns in 2024, he gained 203 yards, a career high, with a long of 55 yards. He returned just five kicks for 132 yards. While he’s seen more work as a punt returner rather than a kick returner, it was a bigger part of his career early on. In 2019, he returned 27 kicks for 704 yards and a TD.
While the Packers did need help at wide receiver, this was clearly a move made with special teams in mind.
“Great experience in the league, he’s been really productive at punt and kick return, we’re looking forward to him keeping with our guys,” Bisaccia said.
But there is no guarantee Hardman makes the roster, especially if he can’t play a big role on offense. Rookie receivers Golden and Williams both have return experience and could earn returner roles while they acclimate into the offense.
Golden especially has the experience, where his blinding speed was a difference maker on kick returns. He has 28 career attempts for 722 yards and two TDs (both in 2023 with Houston). If Golden gets used to life at the NFL quickly, he can play a major role on offense early, but kick returns could be an early area to make his name known.
Williams has less experience, only returning kicks his freshman year (14 returns for 312 yards). But the experience is there. Williams is willing to play any role for the team, and his skills as a pure WR are still developing. With his twitchiness, size, and ability as a runner, he could be a prime candidate to be a returner early in his career.
The returner battle this summer will be an interesting one. Beyond the names discussed, expect Bisaccia to try all sorts of different players on returns. But what’s clear is that Bisaccia doesn’t believe Nixon is fully out of the return game, and even if he is, he’s got some exciting new options to work with.