The cornerbacks will be under the spotlight when the Green Bay Packers report to training camp next month.
Carrington Valentine's starting job is in jeopardy, with Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, and Domani Jackson arriving to provide competition. Then there is Keisean Nixon, who appears to be the cornerback with the most security in the starting lineup, but it's not even a guarantee he'll be there for the start of training camp.
Earlier this month, ESPN's Jason Wilde was asked whether he believes Nixon will attend training camp or potentially hold out until he gets a better deal.
Wilde didn't give a clear prediction either way, though he noted that he "cannot say that with any degree of high confidence" that the veteran would play this season without a new contract. While Wilde wasn't reporting anything or even giving a conclusive answer, his lack of confidence either way makes it even more fascinating.
All eyes will be on Keisean Nixon's status at the start of Packers training camp
Will Nixon show up? That'll be among the first questions reporters seek an answer to once veterans report to camp. Don't be surprised if we see Matt LaFleur or Brian Gutekunst duck the question by saying something along the lines of, "I haven't seen him yet but that doesn't mean he's not here."
Regardless of whether Nixon holds out, holds in, or practices as normal, some Packers fans may find the sheer prospect of a contract dispute laughable.
And, well, I'd have to agree.
Nixon's play has been volatile at best. One minute, he's intercepting Caleb Williams to give the Packers a last-second win at Lambeau. Two weeks later, he's costing Green Bay the game at Soldier Field. That's how it's gone for the veteran of late.
According to Pro Football Reference, last season Nixon allowed 64.4 percent of passes to be completed for 651 yards, six touchdowns, and that one interception of Williams, for a passer rating of 105.1. That's not giving out new-contract vibes, if you ask me.
Nixon can make those game-changing plays, but sometimes being overly aggressive to get his hands to the ball leads to a big completion.
The Packers may hand him a new deal, but having brought in so much cornerback talent this offseason, do they want to effectively guarantee Nixon a starting job long term?
If anything, holding out could actually hurt Nixon more than it helps, as it would open the door for second-round rookie Brandon Cisse or free-agent addition Benjamin St-Juste to audition for the job. It could give Carrington Valentine a better shot at remaining in the starting lineup.
So many questions and plenty of uncertainty, but we'll soon have an answer.
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