The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp on July 29th. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2026 season. Today we will examine the secondary. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, for running backs, click here, click here for linebackers, here, here for tight ends, here for edge rushers and here for offensive line. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers secondary entering training camp in 2026:

The Projected Candidates: Starters: Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Javon Bullard, Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams. Backups: Benjamin St-Juste, Brandon Cisse, Kitan Oladapo; Fighting for roster spots: Shemar Bartholemew, MJ Devonshire, Kamal Hadden, Domani Jackson, Marlon Jones, Jaylin Simpson, Johnathan Baldwin, Murvin Kenion, Mark Perry

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers Secondary, Number One: Who Starts at Cornerback?

Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are the incumbents, but neither is guaranteed a starting job. The Packers lack a top cover corner as neither starter is consistent enough to claim elite status. Both players also struggle to tackle consistently and to hold on to catchable passes.

Valentine is younger and more physical off the snap of the ball. Nixon is more experienced and has more speed. Both will face challenges to hold on to their starting jobs, and neither is currently under contract for 2027. One or both of them could be ex-Packers next offseason and that gives them both a lot of incentive to have a strong season this year.

The competition will come from free agent addition Benjamin St-Juste who adds size and tackling ability and rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse. Cisse adds speed and has the potential to be a good cover corner, but how quickly will he make the adjustment to the NFL and lose his rookie tentativeness? By the second half of the season, Cisse could be challenging for a bigger role. St-Juste enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign and hopes to continue that success in Green Bay.

Number Two: How Does Jonathan Gannon Utilize His Safeties?

The Packers have three talented safeties in Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard. Bullard starts as the slot corner but is a natural safety.

New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has a history of emphasizing strong safety play and has put three safeties on the field at the same time in the past. The team’s top three safeties should thrive under Gannon’s leadership.

McKinney gives the team a difference maker in the secondary. He has earned All Pro honors in both of his seasons in Green Bay. Williams could earn Pro Bowl honors for the first time if he continues to develop. Both McKinney and Williams see the field well and are smart players.

Safety appears to be the team’s strongest position entering training camp largely because of the top three players.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers Secondary, Number Three: How Soon and How Much Does Brandon Cisse Contribute?

The Packers added Cisse in the second round with their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cisse has great athletic ability but needs to show he understands the defense and improves his techniques. Cisse needs to improve his coverage in zone defenses where he struggled in college. He was much stronger in man coverage. Cisse also does a better job of tackling than the two current starters.

The Packers hope injuries don’t necessitate Cisse playing a big role before he’s ready. The coaching staff wants him to develop confidence and be ready for whatever comes his way.

The faster Cisse is ready, the more he’ll contribute this season. The key for the Packers is to make sure he’s ready to start in 2027. He should contribute more on defense in the second half of the season than the first.

 

 

 

 

 

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