When the Green Bay Packers released receiver Jordy Nelson, they released a statement that pretty much suggested his time with the team was over.
Our first reaction to the news was maybe the Packers could re-sign Nelson at a lesser rate. After all, his contract, before it was terminated, was bloated compared to his production.
Apparently, the Packers broached that subject with Nelson and he balked.
According to an #NFL source, the #Packers did offer Jordy Nelson the opportunity to come back at a significantly lower salary than he was slated to make. Not sure what the number was, but was told it wasn't for a lot more than the 10-year veteran minimum.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) March 14, 2018
This would suggest that Nelson is ready or willing to retire, as he as reportedly told teammates he’d think about if the Packers cut him.
But not so fast.
Both the Oakland Raiders and, no surprise, the New England Patriots are reportedly interested in Nelson. Bill Belichick will make Jordy Nelson the next Wes Welker. Won’t he?
Nelson, as many of us said, was destined to play the slot for the Packers at the end of his career. Instead, the Packers brain trust chose Randall Cobb to stay in that role. It essentially came down to Nelson and Cobb and the front office chose Cobb.
So here we are. Jordy Nelson will either retire and go back to the farm, or he’ll sign with another team and continue on. Frankly, the Patriots have been able to make more out of less. That’s not a bad choice. But we are going to expect the Raiders, with former Packers’ personnel exec Reggie McKenzie as GM, to make a nicer offer.
Frankly, you go and do what you need to do, Jordy.