Packers Cutting Nelson, Reportedly Signing Graham

Multiple Saints, including defensive end Cameron Jordan and running back Mark Ingram, used Twitter to recruit Graham back to New Orleans, but ultimately, the Packers made a better offer.

It was that kind of emotional swing on Tuesday afternoon.

The Packers had been interested in free agent wide receivers Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins but both have since agreed to deals with other teams. Fourteen minutes later, he reported that the Packers would cut Nelson.

Blake Bortles needs as many weapons around him as possible, and the Jaguars have lost a big one this offseason. Nelson has been a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers. It was his lowest total in yards since 2009 and in receptions since 2012.

Last season, Nelson struggled compared to his full-strength contributions in recent years, finishing with 53 catches for 482 yards and six touchdowns. His chemistry with Rodgers was unmatched.

Packers will be most grateful for his performance in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which he tallied 140 yards and a touchdown to help the Packers bring the Vince Lomardi Trophy back home. Nelson would be a quality veteran to put with Joe Flacco and a young receiver added through the draft. A second-round pick in 2008, the former walk-on safety at Kansas State was a staple of the Packers’ passing offense for the past decade and finishes his run in Green Bay as the third all-time leading receiver in franchise history. His work on the sideline was superb.

Nelson saw his production drop last season after Rodgers broke his collarbone. During the 2014 season, he explained, in part, how he did so for an ESPN story.

“It’s been very revealing, when you’re able to sit down and watch continuous years of video, more than you’ve done in the past”, noting he wasn’t just referring to Cobb and Nelson.