Former Packers S Nick Collins Joins Packers as Cornerbacks Coach at OTA

Green Bay, WI – May 30, 2025  

The Green Bay Packers have welcomed back a familiar face, appointing former safety Nick Collins as their new cornerbacks coach during OTAs, sources told ESPN. The move brings a legend to the coaching staff.  

Collins, a second-round pick in 2005, played seven seasons with the Packers, earning 3 Pro Bowl nods (2008-2010) and a Super Bowl XLV ring with a crucial interception return touchdown. His career ended in 2011 due to a neck injury.  

During his tenure, Collins recorded 22 interceptions over 102 games, showcasing elite ball skills and range. He led the NFL in interception return yards in 2008, cementing his status as a Packers Hall of Famer (2016), per ESPN.  

After retiring in 2014, Collins coached defensive backs at Lake Highland Preparatory School (2021-2022), leading them to championships, and later served as cornerbacks coach at Bethune-Cookman University (2023-2024), honing his coaching expertise.  

The Packers’ secondary, featuring Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and rookie Micah Robinson, needs guidance amidst Jaire Alexander’s trade rumors. Collins joins a defense bolstered by TJ Watt, aiming to improve their 22nd-ranked pressure percentage from 2024.  

Collins replaces Ryan Downard, who shifted to assistant defensive coordinator. His experience as a safety offers a unique perspective to coach cornerbacks, focusing on anticipation and ball skills, per packers.com’s OTA preview.  

Fan reactions on X are electric: “Nick Collins coaching our CBs? That’s huge!” one Cheesehead tweeted. “He’ll teach them to ball-hawk like he did!” another exclaimed, hopeful for a defensive turnaround.  

As OTAs progress, Cheeseheads are eager to see Collins’ impact on a young secondary, aiming for a 2025 Super Bowl run.