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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What are the Packers' biggest red flags heading into next season?
Despite coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Green Bay Packers need to take another step forward to show they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Or do they? Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently included Green Bay on his list of top NFL contenders in 2025. While it's positive the Packers are being mentioned in the same conversation as the Eagles, Chiefs, and Bills, the post highlighted each team's biggest red flags heading into next season. For the Packers, Benjamin believes depth and durability are their biggest flaws. "It was one thing for Jordan Love to battle multiple injuries in 2024; it was another for the quarterback to lose practically his entire receiving corps to various ailments by year's end," Benjamin wrote. "The Packers did their best to bolster their depth this offseason, spending not one but two early draft picks on receiver help, but at the end of the day, Matt LaFleur needs his arsenal to stay on the field to ensure his steady rate of postseason bids continues. That includes on defense, where Nate Hobbs will be tasked with filling the shoes of the also-oft-banged-up Jaire Alexander." Injuries were a major factor in Green Bay limping into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and failing to advance past the NFC Wild Card Round. Two of their most important players—Jordan Love and Kenny Clark—never fully recovered from injuries they sustained in the season opener against Philadelphia. Jaire Alexander is now a Steeler because he appeared in only seven games. Winning a Lombardi Trophy next year will require some injury luck. Love getting hurt would be a worst-case scenario for Green Bay, which is why addressing the offensive line was a priority this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst also went out and drafted two wide receivers in the first three rounds to give the quarterback more ammunition. Although the offensive line and wide receiver depth appear to be in good shape with training camp less than a month away, other positions aren't as solidified. Of course, every roster has weak spots, and the Packers' are pretty obvious, at least on paper. Edge rusher was thought to be a substantial need entering the offseason after the defense finished 26th in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN analytics. However, Green Bay didn't add a single pass rusher this free-agent cycle and waited until Day 3 to take an edge. That means they will rely on Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare to hold down the edges in 2025. Gary is coming off a good but not great season, while neither Van Ness nor Enagbare have ever been full-time starters. Behind those three, the depth is questionable with Brenton Cox Jr. and newcomers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver. Cornerback is another position that has question marks in its top three. This will be Keisean Nixon's first time entering a season as an outside corner, and playing opposite him is expected to be Carrington Valentine, who started only seven games last season. Nate Hobbs was one of the team's big free-agent splashes as a solidified slot corner. After that, things look bleak. Javon Bullard is a solid backup option in the slot, but if Nixon or Valentine goes down, the team will have to move Hobbs outside or potentially turn to Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, or Micah Robinson. King and Hadden did not log a single defensive snap in 2024, spending most of the season on the practice squad. Robinson was the 237th overall pick in the seventh round and could end up as a practice squad stowaway. Gutekunst seems confident at edge and corner, making a significant change to the roster highly unlikely unless an issue arises during training camp. Even then, you're probably not adding a difference-maker. So, what do the Packers need to do to be a contender? Staying healthy will be key, but guys stepping up at key positions like wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback will be equally important in deciding how far this team goes next season.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander The Green Bay Packers officially announced the release of cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday. The roster move was initially reported on Monday morning and is now official with the league office as of Monday afternoon. Alexander's release ends a seven-year run for Brian Gutekunst's first draft pick as general manager of the Packers. "In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game's most challenging positions," Gutekunst wrote in a press release. "His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward." Alexander, a first-round pick of the Packers (18th overall) in the 2018 draft, played in 78 games (76 starts) over the last seven seasons in Green Bay. He intercepted 12 passes, returning one for a touchdown, and produced 70 total passes defensed. Alexander was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2022, and he was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2018. Alexander also appeared in seven postseason games. He intercepted three passes in the playoffs -- two on Tom Brady in the 2020 NFC Championship Game and one on Dak Prescott in the Packers' upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round in 2023. Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the Packers in 2022. However, he played in only four games in 2021, seven games in 2023 and seven games in 2024 due to injuries or suspension. The Packers now have an open roster spot as mandatory minicamp -- the final event of the offseason workout program -- begins on Tuesday.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." Advertisement In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Advertisement Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below: This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
USA Today
03-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025 Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below:
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Highlighting Packers' 5 primetime games on 2025 regular season schedule
Highlighting Packers' 5 primetime games on 2025 regular season schedule Every year, the Green Bay Packers get a healthy serving of primetime games, and this year is no different. Now that every NFL team's schedule is public, the Packers are set to play five games in primetime in 2025. This number comes as no surprise considering the Packers are once again expected to be in playoff contention and have mass appeal to viewers. Last year, the Packers went 3-2 in primetime games, but all three of their wins were against teams that failed to make the playoffs, while both losses were against playoff teams. Knowing primetime games are usually against tougher competition, Green Bay hopes to stack up better this time around. Here are the five primetime games on the 2025 schedule for the Packers: Week 2 vs Washington Commanders When: Thursday, September 11 Where: Lambeau Field How To Watch: Amazon Prime Video Green Bay faces a tough challenge in its first primetime game of 2025. Led by rookie phenom Jayden Daniels, the Commanders finished 12-5 last season and reached their first NFC Championship since 1992. Washington is a fun, exciting team with lofty expectations, but so are the Packers. This should be a fun one. Week 4 vs Dallas Cowboys When: Sunday, September 28 Where: AT&T Stadium How To Watch: NBC Green Bay has had no issue traveling to Jerry's World since it opened in 2009, boasting a 5-0 record against Dallas, including the playoffs. After losing to the Packers in the 2023 postseason, injuries sent the Cowboys spiraling last year and cost Mike McCarthy his job. Dallas got Dak Prescott another weapon in George Pickens, but will it be enough to finally defend their home turf against Green Bay? Week 8 vs Pittsburgh Steelers When: Sunday, October 26 Where: Acrisure Stadium How To Watch: NBC The Packers will have three primetime games within the first eight weeks of the season. Needless to say, this matchup would have plenty of excitement around it if Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Steelers. Not only would it be a Super Bowl XLV rematch, but also the first—and possibly only—time Green Bay faces Rodgers after trading him in 2023. Week 10 vs Philadelphia Eagles When: Monday, November 10 Where: Lambeau Field How To Watch: ESPN/ABC The Packers fell to the Eagles twice last season—once in the season-opening loss in Brazil and then again in the NFC Wild Card Round, eliminating them from the playoffs. This will be a heavily anticipated mid-season matchup against two premier NFC teams. Not only can the Packers avenge last season's losses, but they will have an opportunity to take down the defending Super Bowl champions on a massive stage. Week 16 vs Chicago Bears When: Saturday, December 20 Where: Soldier Field How To Watch: FOX This game will either be at 3:30 or 7:00 pm CST. The Packers and Bears have met in primetime many times over the years, and typically, those games have ended in a Bears beatdown. However, the Bears defeated Green Bay to close out the 2024 season, and now, they have a new head coach and have added key pieces to their offense and defense during the offseason. This game may have divisional or playoff implications this late in the season.
