Nixon played the full game, with rookie Brandon Cisse leaving with a stinger in the second half and Carrington Valentine stepping in for 25 snaps. The other three Packers cornerbacks also held their own. Nixon allowed nine receptions for 55 yards, while Amari Cooper’s teammate CeeDee Lamb totaled four catches for 29 yards against him. George Pickens managed one grab for seven yards on Nixon’s coverage. Cisse limited the damage to three receptions for 30 yards, though Lamb drew a long gain on a single play and Pickens had another sizable catch. Valentine surrendered two catches for 28 yards to Pickens and one for seven yards to Lamb. Collectively, the group gave up some completions, but there were no sustained mismatches or repeated punishments.
Looking at the matchup broadly, Nixon has continued to develop into a steady outside corner. Entering his fourth season as a starter, he spent 2023 primarily in the slot, expanded to outside and slot duties in 2024, and then became a full-time outside corner in 2025. Through 2026, Nixon has logged extensive playing time (about 410 snaps) and posted a notable improvement in his PFF grade, rising from 66.7 in 2025 to around 70 this season. This progress comes as he approaches the final year of his current contract extension, signed in 2024 for three years and $18 million. After a challenging 2025, the team has watched him respond positively in 2026, topping the depth chart at outside corner and helping stabilize the secondary.
As the season moves forward, the Packers will assess whether to pursue another extension for Nixon, who has shown resilience and consistency in coverage. The primary takeaway from the latest game is that the defense can execute its game plan against top receiving talent and keep opposing offenses from sustaining drives, especially in critical moments.
