Green Bay Packers CB Keisean Nixon finds himself sidelined after a sudden demotion to the third-string defense, sparking speculation of internal friction while rookie Brandon Cisse seizes the starting role.
The Green Bay Packers had an unexpected position battle pop up in training camp, and a player coming off a Pro Bowl campaign in 2025 believes the team could be punishing him in the preseason.
On Sunday, cornerback Keisean Nixon told reporters it was his "guess" he was being punished by the Packers. He didn't explain what he thought Green Bay was punishing him for, but that was his explanation for not working with the first-team defense.
“I guess I’m being punished right now, I guess, I don’t know. I don’t really worry about what I’m running in camp, the ones and twos, I just keep my process and compete," Nixon said, via Rob Demovsky.
Earlier in the week, Demovsky reported second-round pick Brandon Cisse appears to be winning the starting job for the right cornerback spot. Nixon appeared to be demoted, taking reps with the second-team and third-team defenses.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said everything was up for grabs this preseason with the cornerbacks position.
"Everything's a competition right now," LaFleur said. "So we're going to put different guys in different situations in different spots and see how they respond."
Cisse, a second-round rookie, noted that going up against Christian Watson has helped him improve.
"I think it's helped me tremendously to go against somebody that talented every day," Cisse said. "It helps that his locker is right next to mine, being able to pick his brain and him being able to pick my brain on certain techniques that he may see.
"Every day just trying to make sure you go against somebody like that is going to make you a lot better. I'm going to be able to challenge him because he wants to be the best and I want to be the best."
As for Nixon, he was the No. 40-graded cornerback in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus. He made 58 tackles and one interception.
The Packers are sending Nixon a clear warning by putting him with the third string, but it's unclear if there is a punishment involved with the thinking.
