Five winners and losers of Packers offseason: Keisean Nixon up, 2 WRs down

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The Packers won’t win or lose any games that matter for another three and a half months, but there have already been a handful of winners and losers inside 1265 Lombardi Ave. this offseason.

How so? We’re glad you asked. Let’s dive in.

Five winners

Keisean Nixon, CB

General manager Brian Gutekunst had rave reviews earlier this offseason for Nixon’s performance at outside cornerback last season. That probably means he’ll start there in 2025, even if Jaire Alexander returns. That’s also good news for Nixon because if he plays well, he’ll make more money on his next contract as an outside cornerback than a nickel. The new kickoff rule should ease the frustrations Nixon had as a returner last year, too, since moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line will incentivize teams to kick to Nixon instead of booting it over his head again.

Jordan Love, QB

The starting quarterback is a winner this offseason primarily because he got a first-round receiver who could soon blossom into the true No. 1 he’s never had. Matthew Golden’s speed is even more important for Love and the passing game since Christian Watson will miss at least half the season while rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in Week 18 last season. Love will never publicly say he needs a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver, but if Golden can pan out (and consistently catch the ball), he can make life much easier for Green Bay’s $220 million signal-caller.

Rasheed Walker, LT

Stay with me on this one. Does there seem to be more competition for Walker at left tackle this offseason?

What the Packers’ higher-ups have said about the likes of 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan and 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton would indicate so. Morgan is probably the only true competition for Walker on Love’s blind side, but the team’s praise of Morgan as a left tackle, combined with the selection of Belton that early, indicates the Packers are prepared to let Walker leave in free agency next offseason.

That’s not a shock because, while solid, Walker doesn’t seem to be the second coming of David Bakhtiari. However, sturdy left tackles don’t grow on trees, so Walker will command a pretty penny. If the Packers think they can get younger, cheaper and perhaps better in the long run at the position, they’ll let him go. That’s good news for Walker in that he’ll probably make more money on the open market than if he signed an early extension with the Packers.

Josh Jacobs, RB

According to TruMedia, Jacobs ranked 37th in the NFL last season in yards before contact per rush (0.96). In contrast, he ranked eighth in yards after contact per rush (3.45). In other words, the blockers didn’t do their job well enough for Green Bay’s Pro Bowl running back, but he made up for it by breaking enough tackles. Why is Jacobs a winner of the offseason? Because the Packers invested in the offensive line for now and the future with some big fellas to pave the way in the power run game. New left guard Aaron Banks is listed at 6 feet, 5 inches and 325 pounds, while Belton is listed at 6 feet, 6 inches and 335 pounds.

MarShawn Lloyd, RB

The fact that Lloyd is currently healthy and without restrictions during offseason work is a win in itself for the second-year running back. The 2024 third-round pick was supposed to be Jacobs’ backup last season and provide an intriguing speed and pass-catching element to Green Bay’s offense, but injuries limited him to only one game as a rookie. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks exceeded expectations last season, but a healthy Lloyd could do wonders for the Packers’ offense.

MarShawn Lloyd, running here in a 2024 preseason game, had only six regular-season carries for 15 yards in his rookie campaign because of injuries. (Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)

Five losers

Sean Rhyan, RG

Rhyan became the full-time starting right guard last season, at least in part because Morgan underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Let’s say Morgan stays healthy this offseason and preseason. That’s not good news for Rhyan, if only because a second-year former first-round pick might get every chance to become a full-time starter (and Walker is probably starting at left tackle). Morgan might also simply be better. With Rhyan entering a contract year, the Packers could also give Belton a shot at right guard if Morgan unseats Walker at left tackle.

Bo Melton and Malik Heath, WRs

Head coach Matt LaFleur was asked at the NFL owners’ meeting about perhaps needing another speed option at wide receiver with Watson out. He mentioned the names of five wideouts, including Melton and Heath. At least one of those guys appeared primed for increased opportunity in 2025 after Watson went down, but it’ll be hard for either of them to crack the rotation with Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams in the fold behind Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. I’m not totally convinced that Williams will be a regular contributor, but coaches are talking about him as if he will.

Javon Bullard, DB

The Packers have said that free-agent signing Nate Hobbs will play outside cornerback and nickel. Even if Alexander doesn’t return, that means Bullard likely will go to the bench in nickel if Hobbs is inside and Carrington Valentine is opposite Nixon on the outside. If Alexander plays for the Packers in 2025, that might mean even less time for Bullard since Alexander would probably push Hobbs inside (he’s making $12 million annually, so he’s not sitting on the bench). I don’t see the Packers sitting Nixon, either. This one hinges on Evan Williams starting over Bullard at safety again, which we expect to happen as of now.

Ty’Ron Hopper, LB

If you thought the 2024 third-round pick might be in line for more playing time next season, the re-signing of Isaiah McDuffie probably squashed that belief. Hopper played just 18 snaps on defense last season and the only way he’ll probably see time on defense this season is if there’s an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. The defensive staff loves McDuffie — defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and new linebackers coach Sean Duggan both coached him at Boston College — and he’s a solid third linebacker behind Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker.

Elgton Jenkins, OL

Jenkins might be the only person who considers himself a “loser” this offseason, but his name is worth throwing in here at the end. ESPN reported that he has skipped voluntary offseason work in search of a new contract to protect himself against future loss of earnings. Why? Because centers make less money than guards and Jenkins switching to center probably means less money on his next contract. The 29-year-old still has three years remaining on his second deal with the Packers and has made two Pro Bowls at left guard, but the free-agent signing Banks will play there instead.

(Top photo of Keisean Nixon: Tork Mason / Imagn Images)

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