© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders are reportedly working to sign former Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Should they sign the veteran wide receiver, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said the Raiders would make room for Nelson by releasing fellow wide receiver Michael Crabtree, which would save them $7.7 million.
If the #Raiders finalize a deal with WR Jordy Nelson, they are likely to release WR Michael Crabtree, who has a $7.7M cap hit. That is in their plans.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
While Rapoport’s report lacked a definitive tone, Adam Schefter of ESPN was told by a source that a deal between the Raiders and Nelson, “is going to get done.”
Raiders trying to finalize deal today for former Packers’ WR Jordy Nelson, who still is in Oakland, sources tell ESPN. “This is going to get done,” one source said of the talks. Nelson on his way to becoming a Raider.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2018
Schefter also reported that Nelson is still in Northern California after visiting with the Raiders on Wednesday, a day after being released by the Green Bay Packers. Nelson had also scheduled visits with the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, but it appears as if those trips won’t be necessary.
Nine years ago, Nelson debuted with the Packers, but it wasn’t until 2011 that he became their starting wide receiver. He’s a one-time Pro-Bowler with a Super Bowl championship and received the 2016 Comeback Player of the Year award after missing all of 2015 with a torn ACL.
As for Crabtree, the writing was on the wall after he struggled mightily last season. Although he scored eight touchdowns, which neared his career high of nine, Crabtree only gained 618 yards on 58 receptions with a 57.4 catch percentage, his worst since 2010.