The Green Bay Packers appear to be set at most positions heading into OTAs and training camp this season. However, there are several positions that are unsettled and that will play out between now and the start of the season in September. One of those position battles is at slot corner. Here is a breakdown of the slot position candidates and some factors that will determine who gets the start at this position. So, who will play slot corner for the Packers in 2025?
Who Will Play Slot Corner for the Packers in 2025? Last Season Was a Challenge
The 2024 season saw a number of players see action in the slot for the Packers defense. The season started with Keisean Nixon at the position. However, when Jaire Alexander suffered injuries that kept him out of the lineup, Nixon moved to the boundary and did a solid job in that position.
Rookie second-round pick Javon Bullard also saw significant time in the slot after starting the season at traditional safety. Bullard struggled at times because he was switching positions. Opposing quarterbacks completed 85.2 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Bullard last season according to pro-football-reference.com. That’s far too high a number. Hopefully, Bullard makes a second-year jump and becomes more consistent in coverage in 2025. When Bullard moved to the slot, Evan Williams took over as the starting safety next to Xavier McKinney.
Offseason Changes
During the offseason, the Packers made changes to their secondary. Veteran depth pieces like Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell were let go.
The Packers signed free agent cornerback Nate Hobbs who spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hobbs primarily played the slot for the Raiders last season, although he can also play on the boundary.
The Packers did not draft a defensive back until the seventh round when they selected Micah Robinson. Robinson does not figure to play a major role on defense this season if he makes the team.
The other key offseason development in the secondary was the uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s future with the team. This remains unresolved at the present time. The Packers have been concerned about the lack of availability Alexander has suffered through in the past four seasons. He played seven games or fewer in three of the last four years. The Packers are paying him as a top cornerback and don’t like his lack of durability in recent seasons.
There have been persistent rumors that the Packers could trade or release Alexander if they can’t restructure his contract. The restructuring of the contract would likely cut Alexander’s base and allow him to earn most if not all of his current salary if he plays in every game this season.
That could be a win-win for the player and the team. Alexander could earn more money than he’d get in the open market, coming off all his injuries while proving he can still play at an elite level. The Packers will not have to pay Alexander his full salary if he misses significant time again.
Who Will Play Slot Corner for the Packers in 2025? Looking Ahead
The lynchpin for the slot position will be Alexander’s future with the team. If Alexander returns, he will certainly be one of the starting boundary corners if he’s healthy. That will leave Hobbs, Nixon, and Carrington Valentine as the primary competitors for the other boundary spot.
If the Packers move on from Alexander, Nixon becomes one boundary corner with Hobbs and Valentine the top candidates for the other starting spot.
The slot would be a battle between Bullard and Hobbs most likely depending on how the boundary battles pan out.
What remains most likely is that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will rotate various players in and out of the slot in an attempt to momentarily confuse quarterbacks and coaches off the snap of the ball.
If Alexander remains, the Packers have adequate depth at cornerback and multiple options at the slot. If he departs, the situation gets murkier. It will be an interesting next few months as the team seeks to clarify the slot corner situation and the entire cornerback position.
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