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Nixon, an All-Pro kickoff returner in 2022 and 2023, stated the day after the Packers’ 22-10 playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that he’s “kind of through with” returning kicks. Nixon had a special tackle the topic Tuesday whereas talking through the Packers’ organized staff actions.
“Of course, I’m open to it,” Nixon stated. “I’m always going to do what the team needs.”
Nixon’s reluctance about returning kicks stemmed partially due to his rising position on protection. Nixon stated on the time that “I want to be CB1” and added that “CB1 is not doing kick returns. That’s just what it is.”
“That’s a comment I probably could have kept to myself, for sure, but it is what it is,” Nixon stated Tuesday. “I meant what I said, but I’m also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I’m going to do it, for sure.”
Nixon additionally wasn’t pleased with the impression of the dynamic kickoff format that took impact final season. Nixon averaged 29.3 yards on 18 kickoff returns within the 2024 common season and fumbled the opening kickoff of that playoff loss. He had 35 kickoff returns in 2022 and 30 in 2023.
NFL homeowners voted to maneuver touchbacks on kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 this season, however Nixon has doubts about whether or not that can result in extra returns. He believes groups nonetheless gained’t need to danger the likelihood that he makes a giant play.
“The rule change don’t matter,” Nixon stated. “I don’t think they’ll fully kick me the ball. They’d rather get it at the 35 than give it at the 50.”
The Packers produce other choices to return kicks. Green Bay added former Kansas City Chiefs huge receiver Mecole Hardman, who has 45 profession kick returns and 89 punt returns. The two receivers Green Bay drafted – Matthew Golden within the first spherical and Savion Williams within the third – had expertise returning kicks in faculty.
Nixon needs to construct on what he achieved on protection final 12 months.
His position expanded when two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander performed simply seven video games due to accidents to his knee, quadriceps and groin. Alexander stays on Green Bay’s roster, however isn’t current for organized staff actions as his future with the staff stays unsure.
“I love to play with Jaire,” Nixon stated. “That’s just what it is since I’ve been here. Jaire pushed me to be really who I am because it’s always friendly competition between me and him. Whatever happens, happens. We don’t have control over that. If he’s here, we’re going to rock out. If he’s not, we’re still going to rock out.”
Whether or not Alexander performs for the Packers this season, Nixon figures to have main obligations on protection once more. After most of his earlier defensive snaps got here as a nickel, Nixon confirmed a capability to adapt to a brand new project final 12 months.
“To his credit, he’s shown a lot of versatility, you know, in terms of how we’ve used him in the past, switching him from inside to outside,” coach Matt LaFleur stated. “I think he did a lot of great things last year, primarily playing on the outside.”
The 27-year-old Nixon believes he nonetheless has loads of room to develop as he enters his seventh NFL season since he performed so little protection early in his profession. Nixon began his profession with Oakland in 2019 and by no means performed greater than 15% of the Raiders’ defensive snaps in any of his three seasons with them earlier than becoming a member of the Packers in 2022. He performed 94.1% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps final season.
“I don’t feel like I’m an old guy yet,” Nixon stated. “I’m in year seven, but my body feels like I’m on year four. Because with the Raiders, I don’t feel like I was really on the team, for real. I was just making money, I guess. It’s just what it was. When I got here, I feel like I was a rookie.”
NOTES: DL Kenny Clark stated he underwent surgical procedure on his proper foot after the season as he handled bunions and bone spurs. Clark, who has been restricted in OTAs, says he injured the foot through the Packers’ season-opening loss to the Eagles in Brazil. … DL Lukas Van Ness stated he wore a full forged up till “about week 10 or 11” whereas taking part in with a damaged proper thumb final 12 months.
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