The Green Bay Packers provided Keisean Nixon with the role he wanted last season.
Now, the veteran cornerback has to show he can keep it.
Nixon, entering the final year of a three-year, $18 million contract, had a rough stretch during Green Bay’s Family Night practice Friday at Lambeau Field.
Second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden repeatedly found success against Nixon during one-on-one work, adding more intrigue to an already important contract year for the Packers cornerback.
Rob Reischel of Forbes placed Nixon in the “ugly” category from Family Night and punctuated his assessment with a blunt question: “CB1 … REALLY?”
The criticism comes at an interesting time.
Nixon made it known that he views himself as a No. 1 cornerback, and Green Bay has treated him like one. Packers.com referred to Nixon as the team’s “top cornerback” while recapping Golden’s night Saturday.
Golden’s performance still provided a reminder that Nixon has plenty to prove before Green Bay decides what comes next.
Nixon Enters Contract Year With CB1 Questions
GettyGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 07: Olamide Zaccheaus #14 of the Chicago Bears catches a touchdown pass against Keisean Nixon #25 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on December 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Nixon is scheduled to hit free agency after the season, barring a new deal with the Packers. He signed his three-year, $18 million contract in March 2024 and would like another deal before the 2026 season, according to Reischel.
General manager Brian Gutekunst did little to fuel extension expectations when asked about Nixon’s contract situation in July.
“Yeah I wouldn’t talk publicly about that, but they all ask for raises, not just players,” Gutekunst told Forbes. “I thought he played very well for us and he’s a guy we like having on our team. He brings a competitive edge to us, but all those contract things we’ll keep in house.”
Nixon’s 2025 season offered reasons for Green Bay to remain patient.
He started all 17 games at cornerback for the first time in his career and finished with one interception and 13 pass breakups. Pro Football Focus gave Nixon a 66.4 overall grade, which ranked 41st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His 67.8 coverage grade ranked 35th.
Opposing quarterbacks posted a 105.2 passer rating when targeting Nixon, according to PFF, while he allowed 50 receptions.
Those numbers made Friday’s matchup with Matthew Golden worth watching. Golden is expected to take a larger role in Green Bay’s offense after catching 29 passes for 361 yards as a rookie.
Packers.com reported that Golden had a strong showing against Nixon in one-on-one drills before later catching a 52-yard touchdown during team work.
Packers Have Young Competition Behind Nixon
GettyASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN – JULY 31: Brandon Cisse #2 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during the Green Bay Packers training camp at Ray Nitschke Field on July 31, 2026 in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Nixon’s place atop the cornerback depth chart also comes with younger options pushing behind him.
Rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse was another Family Night standout. Cisse won two one-on-one reps near the goal line against Christian Watson and later broke up another pass intended for Watson during 11-on-11 work, per Packers.com.
Cisse exited late with cramps and Benjamin St-Juste replaced him with the first-team defense. The former South Carolina Gamecock said afterward that he was fine.
His emergence gives Green Bay another player to evaluate while Nixon plays through a pivotal season.
Nixon has already reinvented himself several times since joining the Packers in 2022. He earned first-team All-Pro honors as a kick returner in 2022 and 2023 before becoming a full-time outside cornerback. After the 2024 season, he made his goal clear.
“CB1 is not doing kick returns,” Nixon said. “That’s just what it is.”
Green Bay eventually gave him that opportunity.
Family Night was only one practice, and one-on-one drills naturally favor receivers.
Golden has also been one of the Packers’ best performers throughout camp.
Still, Nixon’s contract status ultimately heightens every evaluation.
Assuming he wants another deal from Green Bay and to keep the CB1 label attached to his name, his final season under contract will pencil in his status.
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