NFL free agency update: Jordy Nelson signs with Raiders
By Josh Hill
After Jordy Nelson was jettisoned by the Green Bay Packers, his career will continue with Oakland.
It’s going to be weird seeing Jordy Nelson in something other than Packers colors next season. He’s almost literally fading to black, trading in cheese for silver as he heads west to Oakland. Nelson inked a two-year deal with the Raiders on Thursday, giving Jon Gruden another big signing on his first trip back to the free agent well.
Oakland added running back Doug Martin earlier in the day, and now Nelson gives Derek Carr another potentially big weapon to add to his arsenal. If Amari Cooper can bounce back, all of a sudden Greg Olsen is cooking with gas.
Jon Gruden did something like this in his first year with Tampa Bay. He signed long-time Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Keenan McCardell and used him as part of a Super Bowl-winning offense.
Nelson comes to Oakland after leaving a similar legacy behind in Green Bay — but the goal is a little harder to achieve than it was in 2002.
Contract details
Nelson will be getting $15 million, with almost all of it guaranteed. Of the contract’s value, $13 million will be Nelson’s no matter what, which is a huge chunk of change. For a guy who is often injured these days, that’s a hefty price tag for the Raiders.
National reaction
Next: 2018 NFL Free Agent Tracker
Grade
If Nelson can stay healthy, this is a clutch signing. Alongside of (hopefully) healthy Amari Cooper, the Raiders passing attack could be deadly. Kansas City and Denver both lost their top corners this offseason and the Chargers are still up-and-coming. It’s a dart board throw to determine who will come out of the AFC West, and Gruden just added a wild card to his offense that could be a difference maker.
Grade: B