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Green Bay Packers: The Pack Needs Jordy Nelson

By Noah Goldstein

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a touchdown pass over Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a touchdown pass over Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last season, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers missed their number one wide receiver in immense fashion.

After tearing his ACL prior to the 2015 season, Jordy Nelson knew that the road back would be a long one. Still, Nelson and the Packers alike are hopeful that the exasperating rehab effort will result in a return of the old.

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Jordy Nelson, if nothing else, has been the definition of consistent for his team and quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The eight-year veteran has a career 15.3 yards per reception along with three seasons of eight touchdowns or more. Along with this, he has shown steady improvement to go along with his constant production; Nelson has increased his receptions per game in each of his last three playing seasons.

In 2014, the wide receiver had far and away his best professional season. Nelson capped the campaign with 98 receptions, 1,519 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. In that 2014 season, many saw a trait that Nelson had been using to his advantage for years, his deceptive speed. Via PlayerProfile.com, Nelson’s air receiving yards (yards at the point of the reception) ranked fourth in the NFL at 980 yards. To elaborate, each reception that Nelson had during the 2014 season was at least an average of 10 yards. The Packers can only hope to regain the receiver who is essentially a first down per reception.

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hug after Nelson scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Green Bay Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hug after Nelson scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Green Bay Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Perhaps the biggest thing Nelson brings to Green Bay is his ability to help the entire offense. In 2014, the Packers were sixth in total offense and first in points scored; Aaron Rodgers threw for 38 touchdowns and only five interceptions while being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Via the team’s website, the Packers also had the first wide receiver duo in NFL history (Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb) to both record at least 90 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns.

In 2015, when Jordy Nelson did not play due to injury, the Packers had the 23rd-ranked total offense and were 15th in the league points scored. Aaron Rodgers decreased his touchdown passes by seven and increased his interceptions by three. The receiver with the highest reception total was still only at 79; no receiver caught for more than 1,000 yards and the most touchdowns caught was eight.

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It is quite clear that the Packers offense as a whole is quite simply a different unit when Jordy Nelson is healthy. The injury to Nelson along with the decrease in team offensive production from 2014 to 2015 was no coincidence. Green Bay must hope that Jordy Nelson comes back at full strength, and if he does, the Packers offense will look to be the best once again.

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