Packers to face Jordy Nelson, Raiders in third exhibition game
Ryan Wood
GREEN BAY - It turns out the Green Bay Packers will have a chance to see former teammate Jordy Nelson in 2018.
The Packers travel to Oakland for their third exhibition game in August. Traditionally, the third week of preseason yields the most snaps from starters. It puts them on a collision course with Nelson, the veteran wide receiver who signed with the Raiders shortly after the Packers released him in March.
Though official dates remain undetermined, the Packers announced their four preseason opponents Wednesday along with the rest of the NFL.
They will open with two exhibitions at home: against the Tennessee Titans sometime between Aug. 9-13 and against the Pittsburgh Steelers from Aug. 16-20. That game will feature the return of former Packers safety Morgan Burnett, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent last month.
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The Packers then will close with two road games, traveling to Oakland from Aug. 23-26 and the Kansas City Chiefs either Aug. 30 or 31.
It will be the second time in three years the Packers close their preseason with two road trips. They entered the 2016 regular season after making preseason trips to San Francisco and Kansas City. That season, the Packers had four straight weeks on the road, opening their regular season with a pair of trips to Jacksonville and Minnesota.
The Packers' 2018 regular-season schedule will be announced later this month. They will not play any of their exhibition opponents during the regular season.
Here are some tidbits on each of the Packers' preseason opponents:
Week 1: For the second straight year, the Packers will begin their preseason at Lambeau Field. A year ago, they opened against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Titans last made a preseason visit to Green Bay in 2008. The two teams opened their preseasons at Tennessee in 2014.
Week 2: For the first time since 1996, the Packers will host the Steelers in the preseason. The Steelers have made three regular-season trips to Green Bay since then, the last coming in 2013. The Packers lost 31-28 at Pittsburgh during the 2017 regular season.
Week 3: The Raiders are a frequent preseason opponent for the Packers, as are the Chiefs. Nelson won’t be the only familiar face in Oakland. The Raiders are led by general manager Reggie McKenzie, a former Packers executive. Edgar Bennett, the Packers' offensive coordinator the past three seasons, joined new Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s staff as a receivers coach this offseason. Gruden, of course, was a Packers assistant coach in the 1990s. The Raiders also have former Packers tight end Jared Cook.
Week 4: As has become routine, the Packers once again will close their preseason against the Chiefs. They have ended their preseason against the Chiefs six times since 2010, the last coming at Kansas City in 2016. The Chiefs last visited Lambeau Field for "Monday Night Football" during the third week of the 2015 regular season, a 38-28 Packers victory.
None of the preseason games are scheduled for national television but will air on the Packers TV Network.
The Packers' annual shareholders meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 25 in Lambeau Field. Training camp typically begins within days after the meeting.
The Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens will open the NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 2, in Canton, Ohio.
PACKERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Week 1: Aug. 9-13 vs. Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field.
Week 2: Aug. 16-20 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field.
Week 3: Aug. 23-26 at Oakland Raiders.
Week 4: Aug. 30-31 at Kansas City Chiefs.