Latest news with #Packers'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment
The post Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment appeared first on ClutchPoints. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur just revealed an intriguing experiment his team is participating in. The franchise is coming off another encouraging season, which saw it make the playoffs again. LaFleur has now led Green Bay to the postseason in five out of his six years in charge. Advertisement However, last year ended in somewhat disappointing fashion with a Wild Card round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers now look forward to a 2025 season in which they aim to take that next championship-level step. And this team is already taking some big swings with certain players. LaFleur recently detailed to Packers Wire editor Zach Kruse what the team is doing with defensive end Lukas Van Ness. Kruse additionally broke down the 23-year-old's background with the franchise and why this bold move should likely pay off. 'Van Ness, a first-round pick from the 2023 draft, got reps inside as a rusher during Tuesday's team periods at OTAs, and coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers could use Van Ness there at specific times during the regular season. Advertisement ''I think, situationally, you can do that (play Van Ness inside),' LaFleur said. 'In known passing situations there's some thought around that. A lot of it is going to be dependent upon everyone else as well. Lukas has shown a lot of growth. I'm excited to see him once we get pads on.' 'According to PFF's tracking data, Van Ness played only 20 snaps as an interior player during the 2024 season and just three as a rookie in 2023. But the former Iowa Hawkeye isn't lacking experience inside—Van Ness was used primarily as an interior rusher during his first collegiate season before moving to the edge in 2022.' A legit interior pass rush can completely blow a game up against any opponent. Van Ness has seven career sacks to his name, but it seems like there is another level to his game. At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds with a 4.58 40-yard dash time, the 2023 No. 13 overall pick could be due for a breakout year in 2025 with a change upfront. Overall, expectations are suitably high for the Packers despite a daunting schedule. Matchups against the nine playoff teams from last season are looming, and there will be plenty of potent offenses to boot. This franchise has been building the right way in the post-Aaron Rodgers era for years now. It's time to take that next step.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Romeo Doubs stunned by ‘stud' rookie receiver
The post Packers' Romeo Doubs stunned by 'stud' rookie receiver appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the Green Bay Packers going through OTAs to prepare for the upcoming season, one player who has stood out to many is rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. As Golden is already developing a relationship with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and the rest of the team, one player who was impressed on Tuesday was fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Advertisement One of the impact pass-catchers on the team, Doubs would be asked about his first impressions of Golden, to which he had no hesitation talking about how impressive he's been. He would call the rookie a 'stud,' and mention his work ethic and how he wants to learn from his teammates, according to Ryan Wood of 'Oh, man. Kid's a stud,' Doubs said Tuesday. 'Doesn't say much, but he just comes in and works. He's been real consistent in that area. If he has any questions for me, he comes to me. If he goes to Jayden [Reed], he goes to Jayden. He makes sure he asks as many questions as he can cause he is a rookie. Kid is playing fast right now, so I'm excited to see it.' Golden was taken with the 23rd overall pick by Green Bay, in what was an exciting time for many fans since they're not used to the team taking a receiver in the first round. Packers' Matthew Golden is complimented for his 'approach' Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin As Golden will continue to develop a relationship with Packers quarterback Jordan Love, he looks to build off his college career, where he played for the University of Texas. He played three seasons at the collegiate level, two with the University of Houston before heading in-state to Austin to play for the Longhorns, where he recorded 987 yards on 58 catches, averaging 17 yards per catch to go along with nine touchdowns. Advertisement LaFleur would point out to the media that he has adored Golden's 'approach' thus far while acknowledging that he 'still has a lot to learn,' according to Packers Wire. Still, the videos coming out of OTAs, as Golden catches passes from Love, are sure to make any fan excited. 'I like his approach, how he comes to work every day, 'LaFleur said Tuesday. 'He gives great effort, his attitude has been outstanding, and obviously he's a talented young player. Still has a lot to learn, but he's shown improvement every day.' At any rate, Green Bay is looking to improve after finishing with an 11-6 record, which put them third in the NFC North as they open the upcoming season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Detroit Lions. Advertisement Related: Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment Related: Packers' 3-time Pro Bowler drops surgery revelation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Keisean Nixon now says he remains open to possibility of returning kickoffs
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon remains open to the possibility of returning kickoffs and says he regrets comments he made immediately after the 2024 season indicating otherwise. Nixon, an All-Pro kickoff returner in 2022 and 2023, said the day after the Packers' 22-10 playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that he's 'kind of through with' returning kicks. Nixon had a different take on the subject Tuesday while speaking during the Packers' organized team activities. Advertisement 'Of course, I'm open to it,' Nixon said. 'I'm always going to do what the team needs.' Nixon's reluctance about returning kicks stemmed in part because of his increasing role on defense. Nixon said at the time that 'I want to be CB1' and added that 'CB1 is not doing kick returns. That's just what it is.' 'That's a comment I probably could have kept to myself, for sure, but it is what it is,' Nixon said Tuesday. '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 also wasn't happy with the impact of the dynamic kickoff format that took effect last season. Nixon averaged 29.3 yards on 18 kickoff returns in the 2024 regular season and fumbled the opening kickoff of that playoff loss. He had 35 kickoff returns in 2022 and 30 in 2023. Advertisement NFL owners voted to move touchbacks on kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 this season, but Nixon has doubts about whether that will lead to more returns. He believes teams still won't want to risk the possibility that he makes a big play. 'The rule change don't matter,' Nixon said. 'I don't think they'll fully kick me the ball. They'd rather (us) get it at the 35 than give it at the 50.' The Packers have other options to return kicks. Green Bay added former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who has 45 career kick returns and 89 punt returns. The two receivers Green Bay drafted – Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third – had experience returning kicks in college. Nixon wants to build on what he accomplished on defense last year. Advertisement His role expanded when two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander played just seven games because of injuries to his knee, quadriceps and groin. Alexander remains on Green Bay's roster, but isn't present for organized team activities as his future with the team remains uncertain. 'I love to play with Jaire,' Nixon said. 'That's just what it is since I've been here. Jaire pushed me to be really who I am because it's always friendly competition between me and him. Whatever happens, happens. We don't have control over that. If he's here, we're going to rock out. If he's not, we're still going to rock out.' Whether or not Alexander plays for the Packers this season, Nixon figures to have major responsibilities on defense again. After most of his previous defensive snaps came as a nickel, Nixon showed an ability to adapt to a new assignment last year. 'To his credit, he's shown a lot of versatility, you know, in terms of how we've used him in the past, switching him from inside to outside,' coach Matt LaFleur said. 'I think he did a lot of great things last year, primarily playing on the outside.' Advertisement The 27-year-old Nixon believes he still has plenty of room to grow as he enters his seventh NFL season since he played so little defense early in his career. Nixon started his career with Oakland in 2019 and never played more than 15% of the Raiders' defensive snaps in any of his three seasons with them before joining the Packers in 2022. He played 94.1% of Green Bay's defensive snaps last season. 'I don't feel like I'm an old guy yet,' Nixon said. 'I'm in year seven, but my body feels like I'm on year four. Because with the Raiders, I don't feel like I was really on the team, for real. I was just making money, I guess. It's just what it was. When I got here, I feel like I was a rookie.' NOTES: DL Kenny Clark said he underwent surgery on his right foot after the season as he dealt with bunions and bone spurs. Clark, who has been limited in OTAs, says he injured the foot during the Packers' season-opening loss to the Eagles in Brazil. … DL Lukas Van Ness said he wore a full cast up until 'about week 10 or 11' while playing with a broken right thumb last year. ___ AP NFL: Steve Megargee, The Associated Press
