Tuesday afternoon is providing developments on the slot cornerback market. Minutes after Kenny Moore‘s Colts deal came to pass, the Packers have an agreement in place to retain their inside cover man.
Keisean Nixon is staying in Green Bay on a three-year deal worth $18MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The cornerback/return man’s contract can max out at $19.2MM.
The Packers came into the 2022 season with a play to move Rasul Douglas to the slot to accommodate Eric Stokes. Nixon emerged midway through that season as a regular, following Stokes’ season-ending injury, and came into last year solidified in the slot role. With Stokes unable to shake off injuries, the Packers will make a commitment to another of Jaire Alexander‘s CB sidekicks.
Nixon gives the Packers an interesting weapon, as he plays regularly on defense and resides as one of the NFL’s best return men. The former UDFA has scored back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods for return work. Contributing as a punt returner as well, Nixon led the NFL in kick-return yardage in 2022 and ’23, notching a return TD two seasons ago. While kick-return work is not nearly as prominent as it once was due to NFL rule changes designed to minimize that particular play, Nixon has been the game’s best recently.
The versatile performer’s coverage numbers were better in 2022, but the ex-Raider spent more time on defense last season. The Packers gave Nixon 809 snaps in 2023 — up by nearly 600 from his 2022 cameo. Pro Football Focus ranked him just outside the top 80 among corners. But Green Bay has a dual-threat player locked down through 2026, getting him signed at a reasonable rate months after sending Douglas’ $7MM-per-year deal to Buffalo.
Most of Gutes moves I hate but this off-season I am here for. This is a good move.
New No 1 RB, Playmaking Safety, All Pro KR/Slot Corner. Not a bad 2 days. Just need another starting safety to play in the box and lay some hits and a LB to replace Campbell and then we can roll into the draft to add some more young talent. Good job Gutey. Simmons, Curl, J.Fuller, CGJ. Any of them would look good in Green & Gold next to McKinney!
I wouldn’t mind them drafting Nubin, the Safety from Minnesota. I also like the LB from Texas A&M. Hopefully they can get one of the better guys on the OL that can play both Tackle or Guard.
Curl would be a great pairing.
Very happy he got paid and stays in GB
Might have made more sense to not allow his old contract to void, and save some money. But, as they say, “in Gute we trust.” (I don’t, but some do)
Seems like an overpay to me but I don’t matter.