The Green Bay Packers are releasing receiver Jordy Nelson.
Packers are releasing WR Jordy Nelson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
We expect this was in every way connected to the team’s signing of tight end Jimmy Graham.
The release of Nelson will save the Packers a around $10 million in cap space. It also comes shortly after Nelson said he wanted to play another two or three years. Could it be with the Packers?
I wouldn’t totally rule that out yet. The Packers probably had to shed Nelson’s contract to sign Graham. However, it’s not that they can’t re-sign him at a lower rate. I can’t imagine Nelson wants to play anywhere else or with another quarterback.
His chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is still great, as we saw when Rodgers was healthy early last season. Nelson caught six touchdowns from Rodgers and didn’t catch another one after Rodgers broke his collarbone.
Nelson’s production was almost non-existent while playing with Brett Hundley. Nelson finished 2017 with just 53 catches for 482 yards. Ironically, that came a year after he won Comeback Player of the Year. In 2016, Nelson caught 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns.
If it really is the end for Nelson with the Packers, it will be interesting to see where he winds up or what his market is.
Interestingly, NFL Network is reporting that the Packers also discussed an extension with receiver Randall Cobb. That would have been executed in order to free up more cap space. That didn’t get done and they instead decided to release Nelson.
Essentially, the front office has chosen Cobb over Nelson.
And shortly after I first wrote this, the Packers released a statement that seems to indicate they have no interest in bringing Nelson back, reduced rate or not.
#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst on releasing wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Certainly doesn’t sound like they plan to bring him back on a cheaper contract. pic.twitter.com/KRCrUqp3yl
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) March 13, 2018
Nelson has apparently told teammates he would consider retiring if it came to this.