The Packers are now in full offseason mode. Many are wondering what the Packers will decide to do especially with their pending free agents. Key players are up for a new contract and the Packers will have to decide who to bring back and who to let walk. There is one player that the Packers need to prioritize and that is free agent Keisean Nixon.
Keisean Nixon Should Be The #1 Priority In Packers Free Agency
The season that Nixon had in 2022 has flown under the radar for the rest of the league. Nixon returned 35 kickoffs this season and racked up 1,009 total yards including a 105 kickoff return for a touchdown. What is even more impressive is that Nixon did not return a kick until October 16. He basically eclipsed 1,000 kick return yards in half a season. This led the league. He sparked a special teams crew that became an asset. (This is a sentence that I never thought I would write) Teams were kicking away from Nixon out of fear. Keisean Nixon needs to be a priority in the Packers free agency plans.
Special Teams Resurgence
Special teams are often forgotten but the impact it makes is enormous. Even a return to the 30 or 40-yard line can have a huge impact on how much the offense can score. The threat of a huge return can make teams do weird things that lead to mistakes. If teams have to practice kick returns, it leaves less time to practice other parts of the game. Of all the players that the Packers can resign, Keisean Nixon will have the most impact.
Nixon must be a priority for the Packers free agency plans. While he is a huge asset, he also should be able to come back on a fairly team-friendly deal. Brian Gutekunst meets with the media on Friday and it will be interesting to hear what direction he is thinking for the offseason.
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