Jordy Nelson enjoyed a legendary career with the Green Bay Packers, but after retiring from the NFL five years ago, many wondered if he would ever return. He never wanted the spotlight and loved working on his family farm.
However, Nelson is back in the NFL (kind of), something that slipped under the radar.
You could sit here all day trying to guess his new role in the league, and you’d probably never get it right.
Wide receivers coach Jordy Nelson? Nope. Scout? Offensive assistant? No to them all. The former Pro Bowl wide receiver isn’t working for a team but was appointed to a new role by the NFL and NFLPA.
Former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson is now a hearing officer for the NFL
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe posted a press release from the NFL about Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James’ one-game suspension. One thing Volin noticed was a certain Jordy Nelson listed as an appeal officer.
The press release reads: “Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, James may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.”
NFL suspends Derwin James one game. Also, news to me: Jordy Nelson is now an appeal officer pic.twitter.com/jcTpCF3mlE
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 23, 2024
Well, there you have it. Nelson is one of the four hearing officers responsible for dealing with every appeal made after the NFL suspends or fines a player. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the league has increased its number of appeal officers from two to four, with Nelson as one of the new additions.
Nelson last played in the NFL six years ago, his one and only season with the then-Oakland Raiders. He spent the previous nine seasons of his career with the Packers, where he became a Super Bowl champion, a Pro Bowler, the 2016 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and one of the greatest wide receivers in franchise history.
He retired as a Packer in 2019 and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2023 alongside former teammate Josh Sitton.
This isn’t the NFL comeback many might’ve expected from Nelson. Many wondered whether he could become a coach—maybe he eventually will. For the time being, the former Pro Bowler will help the league’s appeal process with fines and suspensions.
We’ll be honest, it was a surprise to see Nelson’s name on the press release, but it’s cool to see him (kind of?) back in the NFL.
