Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers successfully orchestrated a reunion with trusted veteran slot receiver Randall Cobb. But fans shouldn't hold out hope of Jordy Nelson returning this season -- he's happily retired.
"I'm done. I'm glad to be done, and glad for the 11 years I had," Nelson told The Zach Gelb Show on Monday. "Randall posted an incredible picture. I have no idea how he still has that picture on his phone saved somewhere, it was pretty funny. But I have no desire to play. I'm happy with what we decided as a family to do, and to come back to Kansas and live the rest of my life here..."
Nelson, who retired in March 2019, finished his 11-year career in the top-five of nearly every major receiving category in Packers history. The 36-year-old ranks second in touchdown (69), third in receptions (550), third in games played with at least 100 yards (25), and fifth in receiving yards (7,848).
The former Pro Bowler also owns Green Bay's single-season receiving yards record (1,519), and in 2016, he was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a torn ACL to amass 97 catches for 1,257 yards and a career-high 14 touchdowns. Following his release from Green Bay in the spring of 2018, Nelson spent his final season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I think one thing that made [the transition] easy for me was I had a plan after football," Nelson said. "The second one, and probably the biggest one, was it was my choice. I had an opportunity to continue to play. Seattle brought me up on a visit and offered me a very nice contract. But just for me, my body felt good, I kind of wanted to be done, didn't want to move family around.
"It's easier to make your decision on your own, instead of getting cut, thinking you can still play... I enjoyed every moment. I played 11 years longer than I ever thought I would. I'm happy to be done and moving forward with our family and lives, moving on to watching our kids grow up and do their thing."
Green Bay will open the 2021 season in New Orleans against the Saints on Sept. 12. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, the Packers are currently the favorite (-155) to win the NFC North, and their odds to win Super Bowl 56 (+1400) rank fourth-best in the league.
The entire NFL conversation between Nelson and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
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