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Thirty Sundays to NFL football: 30 reasons why we love the Green Bay Packers

Don Majkowski with the guy who succeeded him as Packers quarterback. Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Don Majkowski with the guy who succeeded him as Packers quarterback. Raymond T. Rivard photograph /
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With Aaron Rodgers and his teammates celebrating in the background, Jordy Nelson makes his way toward the end zone on the tail end of his 80-yard touchdown catch and run against the New York Jets last Sunday. Jim Oxley photograph
With Aaron Rodgers and his teammates celebrating in the background, Jordy Nelson makes his way toward the end zone on the tail end of his 80-yard touchdown catch and run against the New York Jets last Sunday. Jim Oxley photograph /

Jordy Nelson

We all missed Jordy Nelson greatly in 2015 … but his absence was felt most by the Packers’ offense. When Nelson went down in the third preseason game at Pittsburgh last summer, we all cringed and hoped for the best.

Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a pass for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) chases from behind during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Oct 2, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a pass for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) chases from behind during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph /

Nelson was coming off the best season of his career in 2014, setting the franchise all-time receiving yards record with more than 1,500 yards.

How does an offense that is based on chemistry, timing and efficiency lose a guy who was the centerpiece the year before and operate at the same level? How does a team take away 1,500 yards of offense and be as good or better?

We discovered quickly and the hard way the importance that Jordy Nelson had on the Packers’ offense and overall game planning.

How many of you can’t wait to see #87 back on the field?

OK, you can lower your hands now.

We agree.

Watching Nelson on the field once again next year will be a long-awaited reward. He will no doubt make everyone around him better, too.

Can’t wait.

Next: Clay Matthews