LaFleur: Packers will explore using Keisean Nixon on offense
By Paul Bretl
There are two things that we know to be true. Keisean Nixon is incredibly dynamic with the ball in his hands, and the Green Bay Packers offense needs more playmaking. So why not combine the two?
This is an idea that Matt LaFleur was asked about on Tuesday at the NFL Owners’ Meetings, and it’s also something that Nixon was campaigning for late last season. LaFleur told reporters that the Packers would explore giving Nixon some responsibilities on offense in 2023; however, step one is taking care of the nickel position first.
"“Kei’, he’s a dynamic player,” LaFleur said via Packers.com. “I was joking with him, I said, ‘Hey, you never know, there might be some opportunities offensively.’ And I know he was fired up to hear that. For us, it truly is. If he can handle it, I’ve got no problem putting him in there in some situations on offense. But got to make sure that we take care of that nickel spot first and foremost and continue to progress as a returner.”"
In terms of where Nixon’s priorities are going to lie, being a dynamic return man and a reliable slot cornerback, where he will have the opportunity to be a defensive starter, are at the top of the list.
As long as those two areas are buttoned-up, the potential for some offensive snaps could unfold.
Nixon was a game-changer for the Packers in 2022 with his ability to create big plays with the ball in his hands as a return man. He was the only kick returner in the NFL to record over 1,000 return yards, despite not taking over that role until Week 6. He also finished fifth in both kick return and punt return averages while being one of four kick returners with a touchdown, according to PFF ($$).
On offense, we won’t see Nixon running routes or even catching passes; rather, LaFleur will have to draw up designed touches, getting the ball in his hands on jet sweeps, reverses, and maybe the occasional screen. Really just about any way to get Nixon the ball in space, where his ability to break tackles and make defenders miss can take over.
This is a role that, in the grand scheme of Green Bay’s offensive game plan, would be a relatively small one, but we’ve seen the Packers try to fill it in previous seasons as well. Tyler Ervin and Tavon Austin were two mid-season additions who had a similar responsibility on offense, and we also saw Christian Watson with his speed used in this capacity last season.
Adding this element to the offense would give the Packers some added big play ability – something that is needed – and, in the process, take some of the burden off of Jordan Love having to create it. This would also help keep defenses off-balance and potentially create opportunities elsewhere through misdirections, with the attention that Nixon would draw from defenders.