Drafted in the second round (36th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Kansas State—where he originally walked on as a safety before developing into a consensus All-American wide receiver—Jordy Nelson arrived in Green Bay just as Aaron Rodgers stepped into the starting quarterback job. Nelson logged rotational duty behind Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and James Jones during his first three seasons, gradually refining his sideline footwork and deep-threat acceleration. His breakout arrived on the biggest stage imaginable: Super Bowl XLV, where he hauled in nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown to ignite Green Bay's 31–25 victory over Pittsburgh.

After that championship performance, Nelson became one of the most prolific perimeter weapons in professional football. Possessing rare body control along the boundary and telepathic chemistry with Rodgers on back-shoulder throws, he reeled off four 1,000-yard receiving campaigns over a six-year stretch. His individual apex came in 2014, when he set Green Bay's then-single-season franchise record with 1,519 receiving yards on 98 catches, scoring 13 touchdowns to earn Pro Bowl and Second-Team AP All-Pro honors.

After a torn ACL cost him the entire 2015 season, Nelson demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2016. Returning at age 31, he led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions while catching 97 passes for 1,257 yards, sweeping consensus NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and powering Green Bay back to the NFC Championship Game.

Following a single final season with Oakland in 2018, Nelson signed a ceremonial one-day contract to officially retire as a Green Bay Packer. In 2023, the franchise formally immortalized his legacy by inducting him into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Stat-wise, Nelson tabulated 550 receptions for 7,848 receiving yards and 69 touchdown catches.