Aaron Rodgers with high praise for Packers CB Keisean Nixon

When the Green Bay Packers signed Keisean Nixon in the offseason, it was likely a move that flew under the radar, but it’s been an important one for the team this season, with Aaron Rodgers providing some high praise for Nixon following the Bears game.

Nixon had been a core special teams player under Rich Bisaccia in Las Vegas for three seasons, and he’s filled that role in Green Bay incredibly well. It began as a gunner on the punt coverage unit, where Nixon, along with Rudy Ford and others, have helped punter Pat O’Donnell rank 10th in return percentage and fifth in punts inside the 20-yard line with their ability to get downfield and create fair catches.

However, as the season progressed, Nixon has seen his role expand, which now includes being the Packers’ go-to option on kick returns as well as taking slot snaps on defense when Green Bay is lined up in nickel.

Nixon has never met a kickoff that he didn’t want to return, regardless of how deep into the end zone it may be. That aggressiveness and decisiveness has paid off for him. Despite not handling kickoffs until Week 6, Nixon is second in return attempts this season, second in total yards, and he ranks 13th out of 58 eligible returners in yards per return.

"“I also want to signal out Kei as well,” said Rodgers following the Bears game. “He’s been so important for us changing the kicking game. For a long time here, and I don’t mean this as disrespect, but it’s just the facts, for a long time when that ball is up in the air on kickoff, I’m thinking, ‘stay in, stay in, don’t bring it out,’ because just not a lot of good stuff happens. But I always tell Kei now when he’s about to go out there, ‘bring it out,’ just because he brings an extra type of juice to our football team. And you can win with guys like that. Guys that care about it, guys that are tough, and guys that make big-time plays. Kei had a nice interception to close that thing off.”"

On defense, Nixon filled in against Tampa Bay and New England when the Packers were dealing with injuries in the secondary. He then started in the slot against Philadelphia and Chicago, with Darnell Savage being benched and then out due to injury.

With Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas on opposite sides, understandably so, Nixon has been targeted heavily by opposing quarterbacks. Although things haven’t been perfect by any means, with the slot cornerback position in flux a bit, Nixon has provided some stability. On 22 targets he has allowed 17 receptions, but he’s limited the pass catchers, for the most part, to just 10.2 yards per reception per PFF ($$).

And while he missed an open field tackle on Justin Fields this past Sunday — something many have done — Nixon has proven to be a sound and willing tackler, which has played a key role in limiting pass catchers as well as run defense from the slot. Nixon also came away with his first interception of the season against the Bears, which ended any hopes of a comeback.

"“I love his play style,” said Matt LaFleur following the Detroit game. “He plays fast, he plays physical, he trusts what he sees. It’s just continuing to get more comfortable with that position and making the most of his opportunities, but I think so far, up to date, he’s done a pretty good job.”"

Nixon has provided a needed spark to a lackluster special teams unit and has done so in multiple phases. The effects of his special teams play can be felt by both the offense and defense with his ability on kick returns to create good field position and in punt coverage by limiting return opportunities. In addition to those contributions, Nixon is also providing some stability at cornerback as the Packers deal with an injury to Eric Stokes and poor play from Savage. His play, overall impact, and the juice that he brings haven’t gone unnoticed, either.

"“He’s the type of player that I wish I had over the course of my career because I feel real good about going to battle with a guy like that,” said Rodgers on Sunday."