Packers kick returner Keisean Nixon named First-Team All-Pro for second-straight year

The Green Bay Packers earned one AP First-Team All-Pro honor this week for kicker returner Keisean Nixon. The former South Carolina star made the list for the second straight year. His fellow players also gave him a first-team nod in their second-annual All-Pro vote last week. He is only the fourth kick returner to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons, joining Cordarrelle Patterson (2019-20), Devin Hester (2006-07) and Mel Gray (1990-91).

Helping the Packers reach now the second round of the playoffs, Nixon had a stellar year both as a return man and from the cornerback position. He posted a career-high 80 tackles with a half-sack, an interception and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also racked up 782 return yards on 30 kickoff returns and 95 yards on 14 punt returns.

“It always starts with the return unit but for me, my accomplishment, it showed my work,” Nixon said. “Last year was the first time ever doing it. And (I made) All Pro. First full year, I thought I was going to get the same (opportunities) as last year and it was nowhere near it. But I still managed to have a good year. It was a blessing man. I’m happy.”

Last season, Nixon led the league with 1,009 kickoff return yards in 2022 and well as an average of 28.8 yards per return. That average ranks first in franchise history among players who returned at least 30 kicks in a single season. Nixon also returned 11 punts for a total of 140 yards. He also played well in his limited time on defense last season, recording 23 tackles, two passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception.

His 2022 performance earned him a new one-year deal for $6 million. He was the first Packers kick returner to be named to the All-Pro team since 1976, also being named All-NFL and All-NFL according to the Pro Football Writers of America.

NFL 2023 First Team, Second Team All-Pros

First-Team All-Pro
Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore
Running Back — Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco
Fullback — Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco
Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco
Wide Receivers — Tyreek Hill, Miami; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit
Left Tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco
Left Guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City
Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas
Right Tackle — Penei Sewell, Detroit

Edge Rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh
Interior Linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Chris Jones, Kansas City
Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Quincy Williams; New York Jets
Cornerbacks — DaRon Bland, Dallas; Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
Slot cornerback — Trent McDuffie, Kansas City
Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay

Placekicker — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas
Punter — AJ Cole, Las Vegas
Kick Returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay
Punt Returner — Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans
Special Teamer — Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh
Long Snapper — Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville