Wide receiver Jordy Nelson had a career year for the Green Bay Packers in 2013, and now he’s reaping the benefits.
Nelson and the Packers reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $39 million, with $14.2 million guaranteed, a source told NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport on Saturday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the deal.
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The payday is a big moment for Nelson, who signed a three-year extension for just $12.6 million after the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2011. That season was a breakout year for the former Kansas State star, who hauled in a career-high 15 touchdowns and 1,263 yards on 68 catches.
Nelson’s production dipped slightly in 2012, as he compiled 745 yards while missing four games due to injury. Fully healthy in 2013, Nelson returned with a vengeance and emerged as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ clear No. 1 Â target. Nelson finished fifth in the NFC with 1,314Â receiving yards on 85 catches to go along with eight touchdowns. James Jones, Green Bay’s second-leading receiver, compiled nearly 500 fewer receiving yards at 817.
Rodgers missed nearly half of the NFL season last year with a broken collarbone, and the Packers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. The quarterback is back in full force in 2014, and he’ll have his top target by his side when the team starts training camp Saturday morning.
Photo via Andrew Weber/USA Today Sports Images
