It now appears clear the Green Bay Packers pretty much wanted rid of receiver Jordy Nelson, who they ended up cutting early this week.
The Packers supposedly wanted Nelson back on a lesser deal, but that was apparently a much lesser deal. Like a league minimum deal. Nelson reportedly considered taking it, but ultimately felt disrespected, according to former Packers receiver James Jones.
“I’m not going to say what they offered him, but they really, really low-balled him,” Jones said. “It wasn’t even anything you would consider. Even with all that, he was still considering taking it.”
Not surprising that Nelson would consider staying with the Packers, where he’s developed an undeniable connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Although Nelson had a down year in 2017, most think that’s largely because Brett Hundley played the majority of snaps at quarterback for the Packers. Nelson had no connection with Hundley and it showed. He finished the season with 53 catches for 482 yards and six touchdowns. All six touchdowns came when Rodgers was healthy.
Jones insists Nelson can still play.
“It just hurts,” Jones said. “You feel like you can play and someone tells you that’s not the case. Then you get released and you get action, it makes you feel good. You’re on it. You feel like you can play.”
Jones went on to talk about the nature of the business.
“He’s given the organization everything he has, at least give him one more season,” Jones said. “It’s not going to hurt the team. He’s going to help you. He could have given you one more year.
“But at the end of the day, it’s a business. You should never be surprised. I’ve seen Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson and so many other people get released.”
As for Nelson, who signed with the Oakland Raiders for two years and $15 million, he called being released a shock to the system. He also says he can still play and without saying so specifically, essentially said Hundley was the reason for his downfall in 2017 and maybe with the Packers.
“If you look two years ago, the year I won NFL Comeback Player of the Year coming off my ACL, I was still productive – 1,200 yards, 14 touchdowns,” Nelson said. “I think we had a lot of different things going on last year that obviously affected that. I can still run. I can still catch. Football, at this level, a lot of people focus on speed, but I ran a 4.5 coming out of college so I wasn’t blazing then either. It’s different when you get helmet and shoulder pads on. I think I can do that. I can make plays.”
I think most of us will be cheering for Jordy Nelson for the next two seasons. It’s unfortunate those won’t be with the Green Bay Packers.
But the business is simple. The Packers saved just more than $10 million in salary cap space by releasing Nelson. They then signed tight end Jimmy Graham to a contract averaging $10 million per season.
Jordy should have accepted offer. He could have still been productive in GB.
He should have huh? Any other brilliant thoughts you want to share?
Yeah. Marquee TE is more valuable than an aging possession receiver. Jordy slowed down by the end of the season. I’m pretty sure he didn’t even have any catches against Carolina when the playoffs were on the line. Cheese curds are pretty good too
So Jordy can’t be productive with the Raiders for 15 million? He should have accepted Gutes low ball and stayed productive here for chump change?
Yeah I mean I don’t blame him for leaving to make more money. I believe this was a collective agreement to let him go. He just doesn’t do what he use to for our offense when he was in his prime. Yes he catches touchdowns, but he does not demand double coverage anymore. Can’t break quick screens for positive yards and can’t really get separation.
Hes a wide receiver, his job isn’t to catch a screen pass. No…A pass from Hundley 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage isn’t a screen pass.
You also like to keep saying he can’t get separation. If a receiver (who can’t get separation) catches 20 td passes in 21 games. then who the fuck cares if he can’t get separation.
Lets talk about separation though, Does Cobb get separation? Is that what enabled Cobb to catch all of his 14 td passes in his last 3 seasons?
Is a light starting to come on yet? If not, go out to your garage, grab your Dad’s sledgehammer, and smash your computer.
Lights been on my dude. I understand you are butthurt from losing Jordy as a lot of packer fans are as well but business is business. It’s not like we are losing a Julio Jones caliber wr. I’m just glad you aren’t running the football operations. Maybe it’s time to get a hobby?
Good…then go get that sledgehammer.
Lol. You are just too much man. I feel sorry for your parents that have to support you financially. Hopefully you don’t have a chance to reproduce. We don’t need anymore morons in this country.
I think he did have catches against Carolina. And he also did have broken ribs in his defense
I’m sure he did I was just saying. Jordy is a class act and great packer. I personally would have liked to see him back. I just don’t think he’s the same player he was 2 years ago. More of a redzone threat and not much of a deep one. Packers are trying to get younger at wr
So before you said you were pretty sure Jordy didn’t have any catches against Carolina. Now you say your sure he did.
No wonder a conversation with you runs in circles.
3 catches for 28 yards. O rd. I’m sure our GM can evaluate where the offense wants to go better than a keyboard warrior.
Jones should have said…..
“I’m not going to say what they offered him, but it was about what the Packers payed me in 2015, when i was the #1 receiver on the team.”
Lol, no shit. Meanwhile Cobb get’s paid $15 mil.
tough James grow a pair deal with it,instead of cryin like a stuck pig.
Nelson is a nice guy, by all reports that we hear and read. Nelson has taken less than his market value in the past, and so then someone in the Packer organization thought it would be a good idea to low ball him, on the
small chance he’ll cower down and accept it.
Now, all you did was insult him as a man, created bitter feelings in him towards the team. But that’s the chance they knowingly took. Just don’t hand me “this is just business” bullshit. Jordy wasn’t “just business” to the Green Bay Packers, he was everything else most players aren’t, and this is how you thank him?
Jordy Nelson could have been a great Ambassador for the Green Bay Packers in future years, decades. The question now, is will he even want to be?
I agree w/you but Rodgers was actively campaigning for chance. It was going to be either Nelson or Cobb. I don’t get why he’s pretending to be upset. Rodgers is not the GM and doesn’t need to act like he’s upset he wasn’t privy to the decision making. Jordy wasn’t mentally prepared to be shown the door and I’m sure it felt great to be ‘wanted’ w/the Raiders.
I think Rodgers has been campaigning for a chance for years. How has that worked out?
I don’t think Rodgers is causing a ton of drama over this. He can’t express his thoughts unless he’s the GM? He’s Aaron Rodgers, i’m pretty sure he’s earned it. If Ted can sit at 1265 Lombardi Ave. every day and collect his millions, Rodgers can express his thoughts.
It’s not like he’s asking for a release, or going on TV with Greta Van ugly mouth.
I’m not into buying expensive NFL merchandise. I don’t get into wearing another guy’s football jersey since well, I’m not a 16 year old chick. But there is a Jordy Nelson football jersey in my home. If I ever again decide to go to a game at Lambeau, I may change my personal rule and actually wear it. I suggest everyone who has one should wear it to Packer home games as a preferred home fan uniform.
To me, Jordy Nelson was the modern day Mr. Packer. He was it. He was what we wanted so many of these other high dollar prima-donnas to mature and turn into as players and good people. Personally, I would have sent Cobb on his way, but that’s me (and thousands others).
Long time fans understand the business end of the NFL. We may come to accept that aspect of this move. Real leaders understand the necessity to treat good men with dignity and respect when you have to make one of those business decisions.
How about releasing Cobb en offer Nelson 5 mil? Would have saved 15 mil?
Or offer Cobb 6 saying Nelson accept 5 and stil save 9. Or something like that.
Hate to see Nelson gone.
Regular Season, Career Comparison….
Antonio Freeman / Jordy Nelson…
NFL Seasons: 9 till retired / 9 all on Pack
Games: 132 Freeman / 135 Nelson
Total Catches: 477 Freeman / 550 Nelson
Yds: 7,251 Freeman / 7,848 Nelson
YdsPerCatch: 15.2 Freeman / 14.3 Nelson
TDs: 61 Freeman / 69 Nelson
Total Millions Earned: ? Freeman / ??Nelson