Green Bay Packers coordinators and assistant coaches spoke to the media this week for the last time until training camp, and among the general cliches coach speak, dropped a few interesting nuggets worth taking note of.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia played down Keisean Nixon’s end of season statement that he no longer wanted to return kicks or punts, instead wanting to focus on his cornerback duties.
Bisaccia put it down to Nixon understandably being in a poor mood after the way Green Bay’s season ended, before adding: “In my mind, he’s always going to be in the mix.”
The Packers have several options this year after the additions of Mecole Hardman, Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, on top of Nixon and Jayden Reed, who have handled returns in the last two years. It sounds like Nixon could still return kicks in 2025 though.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is always good for a strong quote or two, and he provided some context on the expected roles of several of his defensive players.
On Collin Oliver, the Packers’ fifth-round pick who as an unusually undersized EDGE player for Green Bay, has been dubbed more of a designated pass rusher, or DPR.
Hafley said: “I don’t see him as a DPR and a special teamer, I see him as a guy who has a skillset to play linebacker and to rush off the edge, so I think he can do both.”
Oliver played some off-ball linebacker in college, which likely gave the Packers more comfort in drafting a profile of player they usually avoid. Expect Hafley to be creative on how Oliver is deployed.
Versatility is something Green Bay values in players and the same can be said for free agent signing Nate Hobbs. There has been some debate over whether he will play as an outside cornerback or in the slot, but it is not a black and white issue.
On Hobbs’ role, Hafley said: “Nate can play outside and Nate can play inside, so we’re going to have him do both. He’s had a lot of success inside, and his tape outside I thought was equally as good. He gives you that versatility where you can move him around.”
Defensive backs coach Ryan Downard spoke about the benefit of having multiple defensive backs who can play in different spots, such as Nixon, Hobbs and Javon Bullard. He told the media: “The possibilities are endless.”
It is likely to be a mix and match situation in Green Bay’s defensive backfield this season, rather than a rigid or definitive separation of roles.
Hafley added that Edgerrin Cooper has added weight this offseason, seemingly in an attempt to hold up physically against the rigors of an NFL season.
Green Bay’s DC said: “He looks different. He’s bigger now, he’s got to be close to 240 lbs. He knows what he has to do now to stay healthy. He was injured quite a bit (in 2024).”
The only issue Hafley was tight lipped about was the ongoing Jaire Alexander saga. When asked what having Alexander back would mean, Hafley said: “I think we’ll leave that one up to see what happens rather than talk in any hypotheticals. I’d rather not talk about hypotheticals.”
Just when Alexander’s situation seems to get a little clearer, a quote like this throws it into doubt once more.
Defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley said he is in contact with Alexander every day, and also offered up some praise for former seventh-round pick Kalen King going into his second season.
Ansley said: “I don’t want to speak too soon, knock on wood, but he’s looking really good out there”.
There are plenty of questions around how well Green Bay’s cornerbacks are capable of performing in 2025, especially if Alexander is not on the team. A young corner like King taking a significant step forward would provide a huge boost.
On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich shed some light on Green Bay’s plans for the various battles along the offensive line this summer.
He all but confirmed Morgan will be focusing on competing at left tackle in training camp, after mostly working at right guard in his rookie year.
Stenavich said: “I think now is just a good time to put him out there and see how he does.” He later praised Morgan’s “elite athleticism” as a key factor in Green Bay’s belief he can make it at tackle.
As well as the left tackle spot, Stenavich brought up right guard unprompted as another position up for grabs. It very much seems like rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton will compete there with Sean Rhyan for the starting job.
He mentioned right tackle, which was interesting as in theory Zach Tom has that position locked down.
Elsewhere on offense, Stenavich admitted they have focused quite a bit on ways to get Tucker Kraft the ball more this year, after his breakout sophomore campaign, hoping to help him take the next step in his progression.
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans confirmed Marshawn Lloyd is “full go” after an injury-marred rookie year.