Wide receiver Jordy Nelson left the Green Bay Packers after spending 10 years with the franchise and signed a two-year, $14.2 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. Speaking to ESPN Milwaukee on Monday, Nelson decided to reveal the details of this surprising move.
According to the 32-year-old, he had a chance to remain with the Packers before he was released on March 13 but was offered a significant pay cut compared to $10.25 million in salary and bonuses he supposed to make in the last year of his four-year, $39 million. He also added that he considered the pay cut, but after meeting with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, he felt undesirable in Green Bay.
“I think the number was part of it, but also the conversation I had in the meeting,” – said Nelson. “I met with Brian and had a discussion 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. I think with the combination of both, we decided what was best for myself and my family [just] as they decided what was best for them and the Packers.”
After being one of Packer’s most reliable wide receivers in the past years, Jordy Nelson saw his performance declining in 2017 season. He ended the season with 53 catches for 482 yards alongside six touchdowns but was convinced that he could help the team in the future.
“I think the hurt part was, to be honest, was the unwillingness to try to make it work,” – he added. “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.“
