Stories like Green Bay Packers defensive back/returner Keisean Nixon's are just one of a million reasons why the NFL is the best sport in the world. 

Nixon was signed during the 2022 offseason thanks to his previous relationship as a special teams player under Rich Bisaccia in Las Vegas/Oakland. He played at least 55% of special teams snaps in each year from 2019-2021, but had just six total kick returns to his name before departing for Green Bay. Nixon played some defensive snaps as a reserve defensive back, as well, but his role was primarily special teams.

Well, fast forward one year later to 2023 and Nixon is a first-team All-Pro kick returner after setting the NFL world on fire during the second half of the 2022 season. He eventually led the NFL in kick return attempts (34) and total kick return yardage (1,009). He led all returners with at least 25 kick returns in yards per return (28.8) and he returned one kickoff for a touchdown in the Packers' 41-17 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17.

Nixon's rise was so incredible, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been more than open about his failure to get Nixon on the field earlier in the season. 

“I know, we’re probably going to get criticized for not playing him early, and that’s fair,” LaFleur said last year. “We should have had him in there earlier and we didn’t. I don’t think we knew what we had. He’s proven what he brings to the table. Can’t say enough about what he brings to this team.”

Well, LaFleur isn't making the same mistake in 2023. He's more than learned from it and the expectation is, during the offseason, Nixon will receive multiple shots at earning more playing time and a bigger role.

It starts in the secondary, where the Packers are going to move Rasul Douglas out of the nickel position and onto the perimeter. The hopeful plan is Nixon can win the nickel job, which will put Douglas in better position to play to his strengths.

"I think when you look at it, I think his [Douglas'] best position is outside," LaFleur told reporters Tuesday. "We tried the nickel thing last year. He's he's definitely a better player on the perimeter. I thought when when he kind of settled in there like, halfway through the year, our performance got better and he's a guy that we've all seen he can take the ball away and that's such a valuable tool.

"… We're going to give Keisean every opportunity to lock down that nickel position." 

Nixon at nickel would really help the Packers organize the secondary and as mentioned earlier, allows the secondary to be in the best possible position to play to its strengths. He has the size, twitch, speed, and physicality to play the position, so it'll be interesting to see if he can win the job.

But that's not all LaFleur and co. have in store for Nixon. If things go well, LaFleur could even give him some snaps on offense.

"Kei', he's a dynamic player," said LaFleur. "I was joking with him, I said, 'Hey, you never know, there might be some opportunities offensively.' And I know he was fired up to hear that. For us, it truly is. If he can handle it, I've got no problem putting him in there in some situations on offense. But we have to make sure that we take care of that nickel spot first and foremost and continue to progress as a returner."

It's going to be fun to see how things play out for Nixon in 2023.