Jordy Nelson walks to the draft stage during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers great Jordy Nelson isn’t sure what Aaron Rodgers is going to do.
Nelson made a name for himself in the NFL as Rodgers’ go-to receiver for a number of years. The former second-round draft pick arrived in Green Bay in 2008, Rodgers’ first year as a starter, and was named an All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowler during the 2014 season after breaking a franchise record with 1,519 receiving yards.
Rodgers’ Uncertain NFL Future
Although Nelson spent 10 years as Rodgers’ teammate and won a Super Bowl with the four-time MVP, he does not have any inkling of what the 41-year-old’s future plans are. The star quarterback is currently a free agent and has been in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but has yet to commit to the Steelers or even to playing during the 2025 season.
“I have no idea what he’s going to do,” says Nelson in a one-on-one interview with RG while speaking in Milwaukee at his ‘Inside The Huddle Live’ event during draft week. “The one thing I know is he’s going to take his time, he’s going to think through it. He’s going to make the best decision for himself.”
There has been only one team linked to Rodgers with an obvious starting quarterback void—the Steelers. The Minnesota Vikings were previously rumored as a team, but they’ve made it clear that 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy is their starting quarterback entering the 2025 season.
That leaves Rodgers with limited options, especially after NFL teams have filled most of their key roster spots following the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the Steelers passed on selecting a franchise quarterback even with Shedeur Sanders falling to the fifth round. They instead opted to select Ohio State quarterback Will Howard with a sixth-round pick (185th overall). The other quarterbacks in the room are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson.
Rodgers has spent 20 years in the NFL and was the oldest player in the league during the 2024 season. He’ll turn 42 years old in December.
Nelson’s Advice to Rodgers
Nelson had a long career himself, spending 11 years in the NFL before calling it quits in 2019 at the age of 33. In other words, Rodgers’ former favorite receiver already knows the process when it comes to knowing when it’s time to walk away.
“My best advice would be if you still have an itch to go do it, go do it,” Nelson advises Rodgers.
“Because once it’s done, it’s done, you’re not going to be able to come back and do it. You’ll know when it’s time to be done. You’ll know, at least I did.”
Nelson once again reiterates that Rodgers will take his time and knows he’ll make the “right” decision. If his former quarterback does decide to continue playing, Nelson is “looking forward” to watching Rodgers sling more touchdown passes.
“To be able to make that decision and continue to play or to be done is a big one, and he’ll take his time, and he’ll make the right decision,” says Nelson of Rodgers. “It’ll be fun if he comes back. I’ll look forward to watching him.”
Packers Make Splash with Golden Selection
While Rodgers’ future in the NFL is in question, one player who faces a certain future is none other than Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden.
The Packers selected the University of Texas speedster with their No. 23 pick, marking the first time in 23 years they’ve selected a wide receiver in the first round since picking Javon Walker in 2002. To understand just how long ago that was, Brett Favre was the starting quarterback in 2002, and it was three years before Rodgers even entered the NFL.
Arguably Green Bay’s biggest need was at wide receiver, with starting running back Josh Jacobs even mentioning shortly after the season that he wanted the Packers to make a move for a receiver who’s proven to be a “No. 1” option. It looks like Green Bay’s front office listened after drafting Golden, who posted 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns with a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The Packers’ leading receiver last year was Jayden Reed, with just 55 catches for 857 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The receptions total was the lowest of any leading receiver of an NFL team last season.
“I think it’ll be a fun dynamic to have,” says Nelson of Golden catching passes from Love. “I think he’ll probably be overreacted by being a first-round pick. But he’ll get comfortable with Jordan, create that chemistry, and hopefully be successful.”
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