April 21, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Jordy Nelson, the Packers’ legendary wide receiver, unleashed a scathing critique of GM Brian Gutekunst, slamming the team’s quiet offseason as a missed chance to boost their Super Bowl hopes, sources told Yahoo Sports Sunday. The rebuke comes as Green Bay’s roster gaps loom large.
Nelson, who hauled in 140 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl win, didn’t hold back. “Sitting on $47 million and doing nothing? That’s not how you win,” he told ESPN Radio. “Love needs weapons, and the defense needs teeth.”
The Packers, fresh off an 11-6 wild-card loss, signed Mecole Hardman, Nate Hobbs, and Aaron Banks but failed to land a marquee free agent. With Christian Watson sidelined by an ACL tear, the receiving corps—Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs—lacks a true WR1.
Gutekunst’s $47 million cap space, among the NFL’s highest, hasn’t translated into splashy moves. “You’ve got to spend to compete with Philly and Detroit,” Nelson fumed, pointing to the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley coup. Fans echo his frustration, craving a star like Tee Higgins or Dre Greenlaw.
Green Bay’s defense, ranked 12th in sack rate, lost TJ Slaton to free agency, while Jaire Alexander’s trade talks falter. Nelson, now an NFL analyst, questioned the team’s inaction. “No DT, no CB, no WR1? You’re banking on the draft, but that’s a gamble.”
Packers Nation is split. “Jordy’s right—Gutekunst’s too cautious!” one X post blasted. Others defend the GM’s draft-and-develop mantra, citing eight picks, including No. 23, to target Emeka Egbuka or Mason Graham. Still, the lack of a blockbuster signing stings.
Nelson’s comments spotlight Green Bay’s conservative approach. Hardman’s speed and Hobbs’ $48 million deal add depth, but they pale against rivals’ bold moves. With $24.9 million tied to Alexander’s cap hit, Gutekunst’s restraint may hinge on draft success.
As the April 24 draft nears, Nelson’s words echo in Titletown. Can Gutekunst silence critics with a game-changing pick, or will the Packers’ quiet offseason haunt their 2025 dreams? Jordan Love awaits his weapons, and fans demand action.
