Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports [/caption]One of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets will be back on the field with the Green Bay Packers for the next four seasons.
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson is coming off his best year ever in the NFL, registering 85 receptions for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013. It was also the first year Nelson started all 16 games of the season for the team he's been with since his rookie year in 2008.
Saturday, just after the start of NFL training camps for teams around the country, the Green Bay Packers rewarded Nelson for his exemplary service.
Though the deal falls slightly short of the $10 million per year Nelson wanted, he did receive a signing bonus of $11.5 million that should help offset the shortfall. The total package is worth $39 million with $14.2 million guaranteed.
Nelson's offensive output is crucial to the Packers, who lost veteran receiver Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings and still need to come to terms with wide receiver Randall Cobb.
Over the course of his career, Nelson has 302 total receptions, 4,590 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. More importantly, he's a constant threat to convert first downs with 15.2 average yards per catch.
It took only one team practice for Green Bay to pull the trigger on the Nelson signing, and head coach Mike McCarthy learned of the extension during on-field drills.
“Jordy Nelson is an outstanding football player and ambassador for the Green Bay Packers," McCarthy said. "I’m glad to see Jordy will be here for some time." McCarthy also called Nelson "the ultimate pro."
Nelson is now at the top of the wide receiver depth chart for Green Bay. He is a magnet for big plays and has a fantastic track record for maintaining good health with just seven missed games over six seasons.
He is also particularly adept at tip-toe grabs near the sidelines. He has a career-long touchdown of 93 yards and managed a 76-yard touchdown catch last season, so he's also a deep threat.
Green Bay did not experience a ton of turnover in the offseason, and their efforts in free agency were not very aggressive.
Locking up Nelson was key to making sure the team will have a potent offense with Rodgers coming back in great health after sustaining a broken collarbone last season.
