The 2025 NFL Draft is taking place in Green Bay, and the Green Bay Packers are bringing back some familiar faces to help announce their picks in Rounds 2 and 3. One of them is fan favorite Jordy Nelson.
Nelson had a standout 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland Raiders. But he’ll always be remembered for his time in Green Bay and his strong connection with Aaron Rodgers. Packers fans will be thrilled to see him back where it all started. Let’s take a quick look at Nelson’s career and what he means to Green Bay.
Jordy Nelson’s Career and Stats
Nelson was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the No. 36 overall pick. He knows firsthand what it’s like to get that Day 2 call—and now he’ll be the one giving that moment to a new player.
He played college football at Kansas State and became a huge success with the Packers.
Nelson spent most of his career with the Packers, playing nine seasons in Green Bay. He played one final year with the Raiders in 2018 before retiring. He missed the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL but returned strong the next year.
In 2016, he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year after posting one of his best seasons. He also helped Green Bay win a Super Bowl, made one Pro Bowl, and had four 1,000-yard seasons with the Packers.
For his career, Nelson caught 613 passes for 8,587 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. He was a constant deep threat, with a catch of 50-plus yards in nine of his 10 seasons. The only year without one was his rookie season.
Two of his best years came in 2014 and 2016—right before and after his ACL injury. He was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2014. In both of those seasons, he had more than 1,250 receiving yards, over 150 targets, and at least 13 touchdowns. He led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2016 with 14.
He was a scoring threat all over the field and stayed consistent throughout his career.
Nelson Today
Nelson was once the guy lighting up Lambeau Field with Rodgers. Now 39 and just weeks away from turning 40, he’s been retired since 2018.
This week, he’ll get to step back into the spotlight—this time as the one calling out a pick and helping a young player’s NFL dream come true at the 2025 NFL Draft.
Look for Nelson to get a warm welcome from the Green Bay faithful on Friday.
