The Green Bay Packers have a solid offense with the 2019 season approaching, but a familiar face may be destined to return for next season. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson was released by the Oakland Raiders officially on Thursday after just one season.
Aaron Rodgers was openly disgruntled after Nelson was released by the team during the 2018 offseason. While the move was a bit of a head-scratcher at the time, it became obvious the team could have benefitted greatly from Nelson's presence throughout the 2018 season.
After failing to make the post season for a second straight year, the Packers could reach out to Nelson and give Rodgers another solid target in the passing game. Despite having one of the league's best receivers in Davante Adams, the team definitely needs another viable pass catching option to complement Rodgers' right hand man. The Packers have some promising talent with Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but adding Nelson could provide them with a great mentor as well as sufficient time to develop further.
Although Randall Cobb remains a free agent as of right now, it's likely the team won't make much of an effort to retain him. Even after the Packers gave wideout Geronimo Allison a deal for this upcoming season, that move doesn't exactly suggest the team views him as a huge contributor going forward. While Adams is the clear number one option in Green Bay, Nelson could easily fall right back into Green Bay's offensive schemes and provide Rodgers with a receiver he trusts.
The Packers are primed for a huge redemption season after addressing key needs on defense and acquiring a completely revamped coaching staff. There is no reason to believe the Packers can't return to the playoffs in 2019 and adding a veteran like Nelson could be a huge addition for the team. Nelson was with the team for their 2010 Super Bowl victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers and could very well be a part of another run for a championship.
The connection between Rodgers and Nelson remains one of the most efficient in recent history and it's likely Rodgers will be lobbying for Nelson's return to Green Bay. The Packers have the potential to be one of the league's best teams in the league, but clearly things were not clicking for them last season. Now with a new young, innovative head coach as well as a new offensive coordinator, the Packers' offense could be terrifying for opposing defenses.
Nelson's touchdown total with the Raiders was the worst it has been since his early days in the league. However, his receiving yards and reception totals were both higher in 2018 than they were in his final season with the Packers. Prior to his last season in Green Bay, Nelson played in all regular season games across three consecutive seasons while accounting for 1,25o-plus yards, 85-plus receptions, and eight or more touchdowns through 2013 to 2015.
Clearly under the right fit, Nelson could still be an effective receiver in the league and the season's in which he played at an elite level are not far behind him.
Green Bay should definitely strongly consider reuniting Nelson and Rodgers for another run.
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