Raiders agree to terms with former Packers WR Jordy Nelson
Oakland cuts WR Michael Crabtree in corresponding move
Jordy Nelson was not a free agent for long.
Days after being released by the Green Bay Packers, the veteran wide receiver visited with the Oakland Raiders and signed a two-year deal, the Raiders announced Thursday. According to multiple reports, Nelson's deal is worth $15 million US over two years, with $13 million guaranteed.
Nelson visited with the Raiders on Wednesday night before signing his contract on Thursday.
The 32-year-old is familiar with the West Coast-based system Jon Gruden plans to employ in Oakland and will not need to learn a new position.
Edgar Bennett, offensive coordinator with the Packers last season, is now the wide receivers coach for the Raiders. Had he not reached a deal with the Raiders, Nelson reportedly was set to sit down with the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints.
Nelson had been one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets in Green Bay for several years, catching 195 passes for 2,776 yards and 27 touchdowns from 2014-16 despite missing the entire 2015 campaign with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
However, Nelson struggled in 2017 as Rodgers missed significant time, finishing with 53 catches for 482 yards and six TDs.
With Nelson's signing, the Raiders released fellow wideout Michael Crabtree. Crabtree was set to carry a cap hit of $7.7 million in 2018, all of which will come off of Oakland's books with no dead-money charge. Now a free agent, the 30-year-old is scheduled to visit the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports.
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