GREEN BAY – All season, Kamal Hadden has been on standby mode while watching the Packers' top-flight defense work.
Active in only four of Green Bay's first 10 regular-season games, the first-year cornerback had played just 17 special teams snaps without a single rep on defense entering this past Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.
"You're out there and you're so close to getting what you want," Hadden said. "You're just waiting, waiting, waiting. You're ready, you're ready, you're ready and … then that circumstance happens."
Snapping his fingers to illustrate the immediacy of the moment, Hadden was pressed into defensive action for the first time in the NFL when starting cornerback Keisean Nixon went down at the end of the first quarter after a collision on the sideline that resulted in a stinger.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound cornerback paused for a second to see if Nixon was going to get up. Once Nixon didn't, Hadden ran full speed into the challenge of facing a Vikings receiving corps consisting of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Co.
As he's done going back to his days in the SEC, Hadden played a fearless and physical style at the point of attack. While the Packers' pass rush did its thing up front, Hadden and Carrington Valentine kept a lid on a Minnesota passing game that netted 52 yards in a 23-6 defeat.
Hadden obviously didn't wish his opportunity to come at Nixon's expense but was ready for it. He even told safety Xavier McKinney before the game a tackle was coming. He finished with four, including one on his second NFL defensive snap.
"It was really big for me to show I'm willing to put my face in there and do what I gotta do," Hadden said. "I was joking earlier with Xavier before the game and said, 'I feel like I'm gonna get my first career tackle today,' and it came to light. It was really big for my confidence."
Hadden has had a unique football journey. A native of Ypsilanti, Mich., Hadden played one season at Independence (Kan.) Community College before eventually starting two full years at Tennessee.
Kansas City selected Hadden in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (211th overall), but he didn't make the initial 53-man roster. Days later, the 24-year-old cornerback signed to Green Bay's practice squad and was twice elevated to the gameday roster last year, playing solely on special teams.
Hadden made significant strides both on the field and in the classroom this summer, earning a spot on the 53-man roster out of training and garnering high praise from Head Coach Matt LaFleur for his growth and maturity.
"Sometimes being a young player, you can slip and not be focused all the time," Hadden said. "But what you learn in this league real fast is the moment you let go of that rope just a little bit, somebody might lace you up. They might get you. Just having guys I can learn from, it's a great thing to see because it's easy to learn when they're doing it and seeing how they move."
Although Hadden hasn't played much on Sundays, his progress has been on display in practice. After Nate Hobbs suffered a knee injury coming out of the Carolina game earlier this month, the Packers tabbed Hadden to serve as the "next man up" for the perimeter cornerbacks the past three games.
Finally thrust into action against the Vikings, the 24-year-old cornerback didn't back down from Jefferson or any wideout across from him.
"He did a great job coming in and not only doing his 1/11th but doing it with a sense of physicality," safety Evan Williams said. "He was sure in everything that he's doing and played fast.
"Our culture is based on that mentality, that next man up because things are going to happen during the season. People are gonna go down. You see it on every team around this time of year. It's a credit to him for staying locked in for all those 10 weeks that he didn't get that opp."
Thursday's Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Lions holds a special place in Hadden's heart as he grew up about 30 minutes from Detroit, where he watched future Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson shine during his formative years.
Before starring at River Rouge High School, Hadden had the opportunity to play peewee football several times at Ford Field. Depending on the status of Nixon and Hobbs, there's a chance his first NFL start could come in his hometown.
The Packers aren't practicing during the short week but have estimated Nixon as did not participate. Hobbs was upgraded to limited Monday after not practicing the past three weeks.
Whatever happens, Hadden is expecting quite a few friends and family in attendance on Thursday and he's ready to give whatever he's got for as long as he's on that familiar field.
"It's kind of surreal. It really hasn't hit me yet," said Hadden, extending his arms to the media to show his goosebumps. "It probably will like when I go back home and all my family and stuff are at the game. It's just like getting chills right now just talking about it, for real. It's a hell of an opportunity."
