MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 25: Keisean Nixon #25 and Allen Lazard #13 of the Green Bay Packers shake hands at halftime during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Green Bay Packers fans have been waiting for some news — any news, really — that doesn’t involve quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers has taken NFL free agency hostage, mostly anyway. The Packers are here to break that streak, as they would rather not wait for the former franchise’s soon-to-be quarterback to make the transition.
Green Bay is returning running back Keisean Nixon, who was an NFL All-Pro last season.
The news #Packers fans have been waiting for: They’ve agreed terms with All-Pro running back Keisean Nixon on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6 million, according to the source.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023
While this has received some teasing from Ian Rapoport, the importance of the move for the Packers special teams unit should not be underestimated. Rematch hasn’t been Green Bay’s forte for most of the past decade. To finally have some semblance of offense in play is a welcome change.
NFL rumour: The Packers have re-signed All-Pro running back Keisean Nixon
Sports Illustrated’s Bill Hooper expected Nixon to have a strong market, but Green Bay acted early during the legal rig to ensure he would remain in the Packers’ colors, at least for the following season.
Nixon hasn’t returned punts since junior college but earned first-team All-Pro honors with an average of 28.8 yards on kickoff returns. His five 50-plus yard returns led the NFL. A barrage of big plays included a 93-yarder against Miami in Week 16 and a 105-yard touchdown against Minnesota in Week 17. On punt returns, he rarely played the ball on the fly but still averaged 12.7 yards per return, Hooper wrote.
Hooper also reported that Green Bay intends to bring back safety Adrian Amos to play alongside Jaire Alexander for another season.
Green Bay has 14 unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents heading into this tournament, so they still have a lot of work to do. Despite Rodgers’ reluctance to make the cut, Brian Gutkunst and the entire front office are moving forward.
