One of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets is telling him to go back and play. Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson weighed in on Rodgers’ NFL future, and he counseled his former quarterback to continue playing if he still has the urge to do so.
Nelson Advises Rodgers to Keep Playing If He Still Has the Itch
When asked to give his former teammate some advice, Nelson told RG:
“My best advice would be if you still have an itch to go do it, go do it. Because once it’s done, it’s done, you’re not going to be able to come back and do it.”
Nelson also reminisced on his process when he retired, saying:
“You’ll know when it’s time to be done. You’ll know, at least I did. 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. 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. It’ll be fun if he comes back. I’ll look forward to watching him.”
Nelson’s advice comes at an opportune time. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been patiently waiting for Rodgers to make a decision, and passed on quarterbacks in the NFL draft last week until the 6th round when they took Will Howard.
Nelson has kept a relatively low profile since retiring in 2018. He now lives in Riley, Kansas, where he works extensively on his farm. He comes from a family of farmers. In 2024, Nelson also joined the NFL as an appeals officer. Nelson, along with former players Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, and Kevin Mawae, oversees the appeals of player fines and makes a judgment on their appeals.
Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson Played Together From 2008 to 2016
Jordy Nelson joined the Green Bay Packers as a 2nd round pick in 2008. Rodgers was handed the starting role that season, after former starting quarterback Brett Favre chose to retire before eventually unretiring.
The pair formed an immediate connection and was instrumental in the Packers winning Super Bowl XLV in 2010. They played together for 119 games, with Nelson catching 483 passes from Rodgers for 7,069 receiving yards. He is Rodgers’ second favorite target, behind only Davante Adams in passing yards.
Nelson would go on to play for the Oakland Raiders for one season after being released by the Packers, before retiring in Mar 2019.