Keisean Nixon and his Green Bay Packers teammates cleaned out their lockers and spoke to the media following a disappointing end to a once-promising 2025 season. They reflected on what went wrong while also looking ahead and focusing on the positive, though the cornerback's comments may ruffle some feathers.
When asked to assess his first year as Green Bay's No. 1 cornerback, Nixon was complimentary of himself. That's not what will rub Packers fans the wrong way, because he did flash playmaking ability, albeit inconsistently. Nevertheless, this was a bold time to toot his own horn.
Fresh off crushing the Packers' crushing Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, which he was at the center of, Nixon's timing couldn't be worse.
Packers CB Keisean Nixon chooses the worst possible time to pat himself on the back
There's nothing wrong with Nixon believing in the work that he put in, and to some degree, his stats back it up. But the two-time All-Pro has drawn criticism for the effort (or lack thereof) we saw from him in the Packers' disastrous playoff loss in Chicago. That's what's leaving the Green Bay faithful baffled.
"I think I played really well this year," Nixon said (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). "I accomplished all my goals, like I always tell you guys, set the standard for myself. But I think I played really good this year."
Why now? Perhaps he's already moved on to 2026 or thinks his full body of work earned him the benefit of the doubt after one bad game. Either way, Nixon's shortcomings against the Bears are still top of mind for folks in Green Bay
For whatever it's worth, Nixon raises a valid point. By some metrics, he performed admirably in his inaugural campaign as the Packers' primary outside corner. By others, however, opponents picked on him, knowing they had an advantage with their top wide receivers.
Nixon finished this year with a 67.1 overall Pro Football Focus grade, which ranked 38th out of 114 qualified corners, as a near-every-down contributor. He was tied for second and fifth, respectively, among his position group in pass breakups (13) and forced incompletions (14). Conversely, the veteran defensive back was also one of just eight players to allow at least seven receiving touchdowns.
Note: Metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus' premium stats ($).