The Lass Word: An Idol, A Friend, An Opponent
It's an intriguing game for one Packer.
By KenLass
Keisean Nixon signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2022. He almost immediately regretted it. And he made little effort to hide his disdain. “As everybody knows, I did not want to come here. I hated it here when I first got here. I used to be just kind of miserable, trying to get comfortable, trying to get to know guys,” the defensive back told reporters in the locker room on Wednesday.
Nixon was signed after getting a strong recommendation from Rich Bisaccia, who had coached him on special teams for the (then) Oakland Raiders. Bisaccia had just been hired to resurrect Green Bay’s woeful special teams unit and felt the former undrafted free agent would be a key element in the rebuilding plan.
But having grown up on the urban mean streets of Compton, California, Nixon felt out of place in small, country town Green Bay. His personality didn’t seem to mesh well with his teammates. He felt isolated. Interestingly, the one player on the team that reached out to him was the biggest star on the team. “Aaron (Rodgers) used to always reach out to me and say ‘why are you always so mad and angry?’, and maybe give me a hug. It was like a thing. Our relationship grew. We still talk and communicate all the time. I appreciate him always.”
Listening to Nixon talk paints a far different picture of Rodgers from the self-important, diva image that is often connected to him. “When you come to Green Bay you hear stories about (number) twelve, arrogant, mean, stuff like that. It was never that. I never experienced that with Aaron. It was always good vibes. He always lifted players up. I remember when I was going through a slump early in that year, I wasn’t playing that much, he would just come and say be ready. He would always tell me to keep that dog in me.”
It didn’t take long for Nixon to become the Packers’ best kickoff returner, and though he had enough success to be first team All Pro, he took frequent criticism for bringing kicks out of the end zone, no matter how deep they were. Rodgers recognized his talent, and supported his decisions. “I don’t care what you do with it (kickoffs), just take them out,” Nixon says Rodgers told him. “He installed confidence in me real early, and when I would make a play he would be the first one to come off the sidelines and congratulate me. So I will always appreciate him for sure.”
It’s clear the Green Bay cornerback thinks of Rodgers as a bit of an idol. Which makes it interesting that Nixon must play against him Sunday night when the Packers play the Steelers at Acrisure stadium. The DB room has been studying the play of the 41 year old future Hall of Fame quarterback, and Nixon says he hasn’t lost much. He doesn’t think the Packers will be able to fool Rodgers with disguises or deceptions because he’s seen everything and knows how to handle it.
Nixon and his secondary teammates played against Rodgers in practices of course, and the corner was asked if he picked up any insights or tipoffs about the 21 year veteran. “I’m waiting for that little shoulder shrug,” Nixon replied with a sly smile. “When you see the little shoulder shrug, you know he’s ready to throw the ball,” Keisean said, mimicking the jerking motion with his left arm.
After six games, the overall performance of the Green Bay defense has been disappointing. Most fingers point to the secondary as the problem area. If the pass rush doesn’t get immediate pressure on the quarterback, the back end has struggled mightily to cover. This has enabled reserve quarterbacks such as Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett to roll up bigger numbers than one would anticipate, and create close games, and even one loss, against teams the Packers were expected to beat handily. Nixon has heard the criticism. “I think people need to stop studying the outcome of things and understand football, a lot of stuff being zones and holes. When we play man to man we don’t really give up that much. We hear the chatter and stuff like that, but we’re confident in what we do. We don’t give up big plays a lot...I think from a cornerback, safety and DBs standpoint, we’re ready to go.”
They had better be. Rodgers comes into Sunday’s night game ranked just 25th in the league in passing yards, but he is tied for fourth in touchdown passes (14), and is coming off a four touchdown performance in a shootout loss to the Bengals, a game in which his QB rating was 103.7.
Keisean Nixon thinks of Aaron Rodgers as an idol and a friend. But Sunday night he will be the motivated opponent. Green Bay is the only NFL team Rodgers has never defeated. The key to the game will be whether Nixon and his secondary teammates give him open targets. Let’s see who has more admiration for whom when the game is over.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (21)
EricTorkelson
October 24, 2025 at 06:55 am
Great article Ken.... Its good for the posters to see that regardless of how the media portrayed Rodgers, whether it be covid, management, coach's... he was an ultimate teammate and players today still respect him.
porupack
October 24, 2025 at 07:15 am
Ken, that is one of the most thoughtful sports articles i've ever read. I immediately like everybody after your article. Nixon is my guy now. His thought about the chatter and criticism, and how players have to tune out the ignorance of what fans see, and know that those guys dissect everything as a team "know football" in every exposed hole. Both teams are playing chess, and one will always find a play to even fool the best defenses. Kudos to Rodgers...probably saved a guy's career.
All that said.....it still appears to this 'ignorant fan' that the packers need another CB at about any cost right now. Pay it, and go for the Title. Packers are that close to contending....and already will be losing key pieces next year for salary cap. Now is the time to address the one big hole.
Coldworld
October 24, 2025 at 07:15 am
I am far more interested in the match up of these rosters than the fact Rodgers is the opposing QB. I’m glad Rodgers was a Packer. I’m glad we got out from under the horrendous contract that Murphy gave him a year before the Jets saved us from cap hell. That trade means we can contend at the moment.
Now, can we beat a Steelers team that used heavy sets and challenges the robustness of DLs almost uniquely in the post Clark era? That’s a good question. Can LaFleur out fox a D that can be porous but also has managed to recover the ball pretty consistently. That’s interesting too. How about whether Hafley can adapt and cover as many as 3 TEs when we have struggled to cover one with a QB who can and will read us, target weaknesses in players and scheme and get the ball out fast if needed?
Guam
October 24, 2025 at 07:41 am
Hopefully Wyatt can play and too bad Van Ness can't. Both would help with a very physical Steelers offense. Brinson and Stackhouse are going to have to have good games for the DL to stand up to the challenge.
dobber
October 24, 2025 at 09:19 am
As of Thursday, only McManus, LVN and Wicks have logged DNPs this week, and McManus came back to practice on Thursday, so I feel pretty good about just about everyone else's chances of being available for Sunday night.
LambeauPlain
October 24, 2025 at 11:19 am
Wyatt on the field would be very positive, assuming he is in football shape and is healed up. I was impressed with Wooden's play last week and Brooks sparkled on a few plays...still too inconsistent...but he's trending up. Those three make for a potent rotation.
I don't believe Stackhouse will get many snaps if Wyatt is back. Big and strong but as slow as molasses in January. Brinson looks like a rookie but he is showing more than Stackhouse who needs a lot of work. But that size and strength is a great gift.
lou
October 24, 2025 at 09:00 am
Great point made. The reason that the coach has never had a losing season is how prepared and physical his teams have been on all 3 levels no matter the changes in personnel, the game is still about blocking and tackling. The game will give us a good indication of where our team fits rather than in the so called power rankings by "experts".
Guam
October 24, 2025 at 07:33 am
Good story about Nixon's relationship with Rodgers - hadn't heard it before and it certainly says good things about Rodgers. If you interviewed Greg Jennings about his relationship with Rodgers you would get a very different picture. As with most things Rodgers, it is complicated and neither all good nor all bad.
On the football field Rodgers was one of the greatest QBs the Packers have ever had. Off the field he simply wore out his welcome in Green Bay. I try to remember both parts because both are Rodgers, a "complicated fella".
Bitternotsour
October 24, 2025 at 09:54 am
on the football field, he was the best, most accurate passer I've seen in my lifetime. his arm talent was inhuman.
he also deserves a spot in the disingenuous hall of fame. undermining your head coach does not a good teammate make. he is indeed a "complicated fella"
NFLfan
October 24, 2025 at 10:39 am
@BN-I would say you are very acquainted with the term 'undermining'-you practice it generously on this site.
BELIEVER
October 24, 2025 at 09:11 am
I have always been a fan of Aaron, he gave me hope every season. I’ve always thought that sometimes the words he used was taken out of context. But I respect him as a person as much as I do a player-that’s 18 years of good football. I am spoiled and grateful for it. Thanks Aaron!
dobber
October 24, 2025 at 09:17 am
I'd be happier if we left the respect and adulation off the agenda until after the game on Sunday night.
TheBigCat
October 24, 2025 at 09:20 am
I remember a story told years ago when Rodgers had been in GB a very short time. He was shopping in the grocery store, met a kid and his dad, and the kid spit on Rodgers because he was going to replace Favre. If true, an episode like that would do a number in your head. I'm continually amazed how any of these players can keep their composure and any humanity in the face of the constant criticism.
Bitternotsour
October 24, 2025 at 09:43 am
I think metaphorically a lot of the fan base spat on Rodgers when he was drafted. Favre certainly did. But to think a kid would spit on an adult in the presence of their parent (or at all) is a story that seems ridiculous and completely unbelievable.
NFLfan
October 24, 2025 at 10:32 am
@BN-Could you refrain, for just one moment, from tearing people down? Using words like 'ridiculous' and 'completeley unbelievable' are your opinions-nothing more. The story could be true and it is not up to you to decide.
Learn to give more grace
Bitternotsour
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 am
mocking the ridiculous is my role here Lionsboy.
dblbogey
October 24, 2025 at 11:22 am
I find your comment to be ridiculous.
NFLfan
October 24, 2025 at 10:20 am
Nixon has intensity and heart. Rodgers recognizes those traits. Though AR appears confident, he wasn't really accepted socially as a starting QB in his high school though Chico is very egalitarian. During one of his pressers he talked about giving Nixon a hug several times a week as he likely recognized his discomfort. He also elevated Steeler's quiet TE, Pat Freiermuth last game. Rodgers talked openly about Pat F's great attitude and unselfishness and then proceeded to throw several passes to him that resulted in 2 touchdowns.He had been somewhat ignored prior. AR tracked down Michah Parsons in 2022, after GB beat Dallas, because he was so impressed, called him 'a one of one' and told him he wanted to exchange jerseys -he sent his game-worn, jersey to Micah in the mail. Rodgers responds to excellence and heart.
I'm looking for a connection between M & AR before or after the game.
WD
October 24, 2025 at 10:28 am
Yes it is a big game Sunday night for a number of reasons. Let's be clear. No one wants to win this game more than Aaron Rodgers. Expect another fingernail biter.
LambeauPlain
October 24, 2025 at 11:46 am
Nice article, Ken! You have teed up the game for Nixon who is now going to take 2 INTs from his friend. Gonna need those!
Steelers 6 games generated one comfortable win...vs the Browns.
They got beat by Seattle 31-17. Flacco and the Bengals defeated them last week.
Wins over the Jets, Patriots and Vikings were all close games.
Packers and the Steelers match up well. Being a road game, where the Packers have played poorly, probably tips the scales to the Steelers. But Win the turnover battle and bring home a W.
HarryHodag
October 24, 2025 at 11:51 am
One thing that is certain is that two things can be true at once. He had the respect of his fellow team members while at the same time being a diva and a head case outside of the locker room.
My feelings on Rodgers haven't changed much. He appears to be maturing as the years go by. Come Sunday night he's just another quarterback who should get run over my Micah Parsons.