The Green Bay Packers have a new defensive scheme in 2024. After three years of suboptimal results, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry and replaced him with former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. Upon arriving in Green Bay, Hafley promised that the defense would be more explosive and create more turnovers.
While the Packers have not generated many sacks through two weeks, they have logged five interceptions. They had 11 interceptions as a team all of last season. The lack of sacks, while frustrating for some fans, has come as a result of Green Bay playing more mobile quarterbacks in their first two games and their desire to limit the run.
Despite the overall success of the defense, many fans have taken to social media to air their frustrations regarding certain players that they feel are not performing well enough.
Green Bay Packers Fans Lashed Out at Keisean Nixon on Social Media
The criticism that Nixon has received on social media has been, in a word, brutal. Indeed, much of the negative things that Packers fans have said regarding the defense has been directed at him.
For example:
In the nickel, I’d rather have Evan Williams at safety and Juvan Bullard in the slot than Bullard at safety and Keisean Nixon in the slot. Speaking of Nixon, the new kickoff rules have made him a non-factor on returns, so the Packers are paying him $6M per to be a mediocre slot.
— Michael Rodney (@PackersNotes) September 16, 2024
Bro we don’t need you at nickel no more! Bullard is the starting slot corner from here on out! You got burnt too many times for my liking! Just sayin 🤷🏻♂️
— AJ (@VerityOutlook24) September 16, 2024
Better step it up fam
— Caleb 🧀 (@Packers_Caleb) September 16, 2024
Defense still needs improvement but @keiseannixon is a liability. #GoPackGo #NFL #Packers
— 𝐏𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟒𝐓𝐇 (@BearsStillSux) September 16, 2024
PLEASE BRO LOCK IN U GETTIN BURNT TOAST 🤦🏻♂️ GREAT WIN THO LFG 😤
— ~ 𝑨𝒏𝒕 ~ (@PCK3RS) September 16, 2024
As one can see, many of these comments were made on a post that Nixon put up with the caption “Self made.”
Now, despite what these comments have said, Nixon has been having a fairly decent season. He is not playing on a Pro Bowl level, but he has been far from bad.
Green Bay Packers Cornerback Keisean Nixon Has Been Holding His Own as the Slot Cornerback
Nixon, of course, is known for his prowess as a kick returner, earning First Team All-Pro status at that position in each of the past two seasons. Last year, however, he also became a starting defensive player for the first time in his career.
In his first season as Green Bay’s starting slot cornerback, Nixon allowed a 77.8% completion, 9.5 yards per completion, 7.4 yards per target, three touchdowns, and a 104.8 passer rating.
Obviously, these numbers are far from ideal. However, he has been a great deal better so far this year.
Through two games, Nixon has allowed a 70.0% completion percentage, 6.1 yards per completion, 4.3 yards per target, no touchdowns, and a 78.3 passer rating.
Clearly, these numbers are much better and, above all, far from terrible.
Green Bay Packers Cornerback Keisean Nixon Had to Take Twitter Off His Phone
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
On Thursday afternoon, Packers insider Kyle Malzhan shared that Nixon deleted Twitter from his phone because of how toxic the comments were. Per Malzhan, Nixon said, “I know how good I am. People around the league know how good I am. I just don’t think Twitter likes me. I had to take it off my phone yesterday. They be talking crazy. They don’t like me no more. They used to like me.”
As shown in the previous section, Nixon’s numbers have drastically improved this year, albeit through two weeks.
The fact of the matter is that Nixon is far from a bad cornerback and there are plenty of worse players that Green Bay could have in his position.
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