Jordy Nelson laments how things ended on a sour note with Green Bay Packers
During a guest radio appearance on ESPN Milwaukee’s Wilde and Tausch Show Monday, former Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson spoke about the unceremonious end to his tenure with the organization that drafted him in 2008.
“I think the hurt part was, to be honest, was the un
Ther willingness to try to make it work,” Nelson said on Monday, per ESPN.
“But then again, it’s a business, and they have to do what they think is best. What they need to do is to be able to move forward and prepare for the future of the Packers. But I think that was just part of it, but that’s the way it is. I’m definitely not the only one that’s been cut or released when you don’t think it’s going to happen, and it’s not what you want to hear when you go into a meeting with them. But we’ve moved on.”
Nelson also discussed the events that led to newly-named general manager Brian Gutekunst, cutting him. It wasn’t so much about Nelson, who was considered a locker room pillar, as it was about it the final year of his four-year $39 million contract. Reportedly, Nelson was asked to take a paycut, which Nelson acknowledged. Ultimately, the Packers saved $10.2 million in cap space by cutting ties with Nelson.
“I think the number was part of it, but also the conversation that I had in the meeting,” Nelson said. “I met with Brian and had discussions because I had to get a feel for not just the pay cut, but what their plans were going forward.”
“After that meeting, there wasn’t, I don’t think, much desire there (to keep me). I think it was a combination of both. We decided what was best for myself and our family as they decided what was best for them and the Packers.”
It’s hard to argue with the Packers decision either. The business side of the NFL is cutthroat and at the onset of free agency, the Packers used some of that newfound cap room to sign Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson. All’s well that ends well. Nelson rebounded quickly and signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Oakland Raiders.
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DJ Dunson is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at dunsnchecksin@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or Facebook.