The Green Bay Packers have a rule when it comes to their own players and free agency: it is better to move on a year too early than a year too late. This has meant, at times, that some productive fan-favorite players were not brought back at the end of their contracts, or were released when the guaranteed money was gone. Indeed, it is very rare for the Packers to give out third contracts to players, with the most recent being Kenny Clark. Before him, it was Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, of course, signed multiple contract extensions with Green Bay throughout the course of his time as the Packers starting quarterback. During his tenure, though, he saw each of his favorite wide receivers/pass catchers eventually depart from the organization, whether or release or simply not being extended another contract.
And one of these former teammates has a message for the four-time NFL MVP as he contemplates his future.
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson Gets Real with Aaron Rodgers About Retirement
One of Rodgers’ best wide receiver targets during his time in Green Bay was Jordy Nelson, who was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, the same season in which Rodgers took over as the starting quarterback.
While it took Nelson a few seasons to become established, he quickly became one of the more feared pass catchers in the game. In 2014, he set Green Bay’s single-season record for receiving yards with 1,519 (a record that has since been broken by Davante Adams). After missing 2015 with a torn ACL, Nelson came back with 1,257 yards and an NFL-leading 14 touchdowns in 2016 while winning Comeback Player of the Year.
But after a down year in 2017, Green Bay decided it was time to move on. Nelson played one final NFL season with the Oakland Raiders, but retired after the 2018 season.
And he was ready. Nelson recently told RG that if he could give his former quarterback any piece of advice regarding his future, it would be: “If you still have an itch to go do it, go do it.
“Because once it’s done, it’s done, you’re not going to be able to come back and do it. You’ll know when it’s time to be done. You’ll know, at least I did.”
Many Packers fans wanted Nelson to come back, even as late as 2021 after he had been retired for three years.
Meanwhile, the NFL world will continue to wait and see what Rodgers will decide to do: sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers or end his NFL career and retire.
Offseason programs have started, so he may not have that much time.
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