The Green Bay Packers had a much-improved defense in 2024 under the leadership of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. They allowed 315.0 total yards per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL and 19.9 points per game, also the sixth-fewest in the NFL. In 2023, under Joe Barry, they had ranked 10th in points allowed per game (20.6), but 17th in yards allowed per game (335.1).
Despite the improvement on defense, there are still many ways in which the Packers can improve in 2025. One of these is in the pass rush, where Green Bay ranked near the bottom of the league in pressure rate. Even their 45 sacks, which ranked eighth in the NFL, was inflated by the 15 combined sacks they had against the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks.
Improving the Pass Rush Will Also Help the Green Bay Packers Pass Defense
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) gains a first down on a reception against Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) in the third quarter of their football game Sunday, December 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
While the defense improved overall in 2024, the Packers allowed 215.2 passing yards per game, which ranked 13th in the NFL. In 2023, they ranked ninth, allowing 206.8 passing yards per game.
The problem, as anyone who watched Green Bay play in 2024 could tell, is that opposing quarterbacks simply had all day to throw. Eventually, wide receivers got open or found holes in the coverage.
Jaire Alexander, who is not expected to be back in 2025, missed 10 games this past season, just as he did in 2023. In other words, his absence is not an excuse for the decline in the passing defense.
They simply need to apply more pressure in the backfield.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Responds to Keisean Nixon’s Desire to Be CB1
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) celebrates before leaving the field following the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch
One of the strongest indicators that Alexander is not going to be back next season is that Keisean Nixon, the two-time First Team All-Pro kick returner, told reporters after the season that he does not want to return kicks anymore because, “I want to be CB1. CB1 is not doing kick returns. That’s just what it is.”
Obviously, if Nixon expected Alexander to be back in 2025, he would not be gunning for that top cornerback job. As it happens, he is.
And while many fans were skeptical of Nixon’s claim, the numbers speak for themselves. In 2024, he allowed just 57.5% of passes thrown his way to be completed, and held opposing quarterbacks to a 78.9 passer rating when targeting him.
On Tuesday, general manager Brian Gutekunst had this to say regarding Nixon’s goal for 2025 (via The Athletic):
“I think he played really, really well. I think he really fit what Jeff (Hafley) was trying to do. First of all, he’s an outstanding competitor. I didn’t blink when we asked him to do that, but I just think his athleticism and his ability … with his eyes and his ability to tackle served us well out there. For me, he may not have the length that some of those guys on the outside have, but his awareness and ball skills make up for that.”
Of Alexander, Gutekunst would not answer one way or another on his possible departure, saying that they are still working through it and that they will be meeting with his agents in Green Bay soon. That being said, Nixon’s goal, stated on the same day Alexander told reporters he had nothing good to say, is a clear indication that a divorce is imminent.
And Nixon will be ready if it happens. More importantly, it sounds like the Packers are comfortable with him in that role, too.