This has not been a great start to training camp for Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon. He started camp as the team’s number one cover corner, but he has seen plenty of reps with the second and even third string defense because of his inconsistent play. Worse yet, Nixon’s attitude seems to be a problem. The Packers need more effort and a better performance from cornerback Keisean Nixon.
We never put much stock in preseason performances, but even in games that don’t count, some things stand out and create problems for players. One of them is a lack of effort. Nixon looked indifferent on the field against the Steelers, especially when he tried to make an open field tackle. He made a half-hearted attempt to make the stop, but the receiver easily eluded him and gained 24 yards on a play that should have gone for less than half of that.
This would not be so problematic if poor tackling hadn’t been a problem for him in the past. The last time we saw Nixon on the field, he made a “business decision” near the goal line in the Packers playoff loss in Chicago. Not making a hard tackle in a preseason game for a veteran starter may not be a major concern, but when you don’t make an honest effort to tackle in a playoff game, that is a real problem.
Nixon has always been a confident player and that confidence helped him rise from special teams player to slot corner and then to a starting boundary corner. However, is it possible this self-confidence is now preventing him from realizing that his starting job is in danger?
His attitude has also rubbed some fans the wrong way at times. Nixon was an All-Pro return specialist in 2022 and 2023. But when he had a chance to become the team’s number one corner, he told the media he was no longer interested in returning kicks because he wanted to concentrate on playing defense. This may be a legitimate attitude to have, but to go public with it the way he did made Nixon seem selfish rather than team oriented.
GM Brian Gutekunst realized the Packers needed more depth and talent at cornerback this offseason. First, he signed veteran Benjamin St-Juste as a free agent. Then, he doubled up at the cornerback position at the draft. In the second round, he added Brandon Cisse. Then in the sixth round, the Packers added Domani Jackson.
Keep in mind that both of last year’s starters, Nixon and Carrington Valentine, are not under contract beyond 2026. Gutekunst was trying to prepare for possible change at the position by adding three players to the cornerback room in the offseason.
Thu far, both St-Juste and Cisse have played well in training camp. They got more opportunities when Valentine suffered a minor injury that kept him out of several practices early in camp.
St-Juste has been steady and seen time with the starters. In the preseason game against the Steelers, he was rarely tested, which makes sense considering the players on the field opposite him were inexperienced by NFL standards.
Cisse has seen extensive time with the starters after Valentine went down. He has played well enough that he has to be considered a candidate to start in Week 1 even after Valentine is healthy.
As for Nixon, he needs to give a better effort or St-Juste may end up starting in his place. Javon Bullard will be the Packers starter in the slot, so if Nixon doesn’t play better and make an effort to tackle, he could see himself on the bench sooner rather than later.
The Lack of effort also reduces the chances that the Packers will sign Nixon to a contract extension before next season. Another issue for the Packers is Nixon’s age. He will turn 30 next June. Gutekunst usually only signs players 30 or older who are foundational pieces of the team. Nixon does not meet that standard.
Nixon still has time to get back on track with a little less than a month to go before the season opener in Minnesota on September 13th. But thus far, he’s hurt his chances of once again being the team’s top cover corner and maybe even from being a starter. Nixon clearly has talent, but he needs to apply it consistently to get back on track this season.
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