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The Green Bay Packers entered training camp with a majority of their starting spots already seemingly determined for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. However, following recent comments from the coaching staff, a few of those spots seem to be up for grabs. As reported by ESPN‘s Rob Demovsky on Friday, Packers secondary coach Bobby Babich said there is a “corner competition” going on involving Keisean Nixon and his teammates. Nixon, a 2025 Pro Bowl selection, didn’t seem to appreciate that comment.. Related: NFL Position Battles That Should Already Be Decided, Including Packers Speaking to reporters on Sunday during Packers training camp, the 29-year-old cornerback said he believes he is being “punished” by the coaches. While he said he doesn’t know why he’s being punished, Nixon stated he doesn’t worry about whether he runs with the first- or second-team defense on the practice field. “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.” Green Bay Packers CB Keisean Nixon (via Rob Demovsky) Related: Packers Coach Offers Rave Review of Rookie CB Brandon Cisse Examining the Packers’ Situation with Keisean Nixon In Nixon’s defense, he does have quite a bit at stake entering the season. Currently listed as the top cornerback on the Packers depth chart, he is one of the lowest-paid No. 1 corners in the NFL and in a contract year. Losing his starting spot or being demoted to the No. 2 role could significantly damper his earning power in NFL free agency next year. - Keisean Nixon contract (Spotrac): $4.3 million base salary in 2026 Nixon earned first-team All-Pro honors from 2022-23 with Green Bay, but that was for what he did as a kickoff returner (1,791 kickoff return yards, 27.6 yards per return and 1 touchdown). Last year, he informed the team he no longer wanted to return kicks and instead wanted to be the No. 1 cornerback on the outside. Green Bay obliged him, and he started all 18 games, including the Wild Card Round loss to the Chicago Bears. While he was named to the Pro Bowl, it is worth noting that Nixon surrendered six touchdowns, a 64.4 percent completion rate, and a 105.1 passer rating when targeted. Why the Packers Could Bench Keisean Nixon If purely factoring in Nixon’s salary and his coverage ability, he’s still a capable starter for a team with playoff aspirations. However, as his performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason opener showed, there’s a glaring issue. Related: Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction After Preseason Week 1 On Thursday night, Nixon had an opportunity to take down Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard for a short gain. Instead, he whiffed on the tackle, and that turned a potential 8-yard gain into a 25-yard catch-and-run by the rookie into Packers territory. The Packers coaching staff was critical of Nixon’s effort when it comes to tackling after the game, as evidenced by Babich’s comment about the veteran being in a competition for a starting spot. On Sunday during his press conference, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made it clear what the coaches expect from their starting corners. “Obviously, it starts with doing your right assignment and then it comes down to your style of play. How are you competing, going after the ball. Not only in the pass game, but in the run game as well. Are you sticking your nose in there? We need corners that are willing and capable tacklers.” Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur on the team’s expectation for corners Tackling has long been an issue for Nixon. It’s not just the missed tackles, but a perceived lack of effort and willingness to lower his shoulder that has drawn criticism from the fan base and is increasingly drawing the ire of the Packers coaching staff. It also doesn’t help that Nixon isn’t performing particularly well on the practice field this summer. On the same day he claimed the coaches were punishing him, Nixon got beat by Matthew Golden on a go route and drew a 40-yard defensive pass interference penalty. If Carrington Valentine can get healthy in time, there now seems to be a real possibility that he and rookie Brandon Cisse will be Green Bay’s starting cornerbacks with Nixon on the bench. Read More: Packers Cut QB After First Preseason Game