Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson might just be the NFL's most underrated player. He's also one of the most underpaid.
With the benefit of hindsight, Nelson has acknowledged that he left money on the table when he signed a three-year, $12.6 million extension following his brilliant Super Bowl run in 2011.
Now established as Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 receiver, Nelson is targeting a deal worth at least $10 million per season, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.
The Packers have identified a new contract for Nelson as a priority, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported back in February. Nelson has been confident that talks would heat up this summer, much like they did between the Falcons and Roddy White.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson has been reluctant to pay the going rate for veteran wide receivers, allowing Greg Jennings and James Jones to walk over the past two seasons.
Nelson's sterling play will likely force Thompson to make an exception, though. Rodgers' passer rating on throws intended for Nelson has been 150.2, 130.3 and 111.6 over the past three seasons, per Pro Football Focus.
The two clearly make beautiful music together, in large part because Rodgers has made a science out of the back-shoulder throw while Nelson has emerged as the NFL's premier boundary receiver.
Negotiations may be complicated with Randall Cobb also up for an extension, but the smart money is on Nelson and the Packers finding common ground before next offseason.
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