Green Bay -- Ted Thompson has had some big decisions to make this off-season.

Does he dare give the franchise tag to Matt Flynn? How much is center Scott Wells worth? And what to do with veterans Donald Driver and Chad Clifton?

Now imagine if the Packers general manager would have waited to re-sign Jordy Nelson, if he watched idly by as the wide receiver's market value soared. It was fairly evident Nelson was an ascending player late in the 2010 season. After all, he did catch nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl. So three games into 2011, Thompson inked Nelson to a three-year, $12.6 million contract.

At the time, the deal made him just the 27th highest-paid wide receiver. And this year, as of now, Nelson is the 14th highest-paid player on his own team.

Granted, there's some logic on Nelson's part, too. He should be in line for a much bigger deal down the road. But Thompson couldn't have played this situation much better from the Packers' perspective. Just keep an eye on the contracts that are handed out to free agent wide receivers this off-season.

On Monday, the Buffalo Bills signed Stevie Johnson to a five-year, $36.25 million contract, which includes $19.25 in guaranteed money, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

To recap, Nelson finished 2011 with 1,263 yards on 68 receptions with 15 touchdowns. His 18.6 average ranked third in the NFL for receivers with at least 40 catches. And that touchdown total was third-best in the league. Johnson -- amid the antics -- had 76 receptions for 1,004 yards and seven scores.

Chicago's Earl Bennett (24 rec., 381 yards, 1 TD in 11 games) signed a five-year, $18.55 million deal in December.

And somewhere, San Diego's Vincent Jackson and New Orleans' Marques Colston are probably Googling a new car.

However you slice it, Thompson and the Packers avoided a major dilemma by signing Nelson when they did. He emerged as one of the league's elite receivers. The position in general is very healthy, in many ways the backbone of the team. Somehow, the G.M. has managed to keep Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Jermichael Finley and -- maybe -- Donald Driver together at reasonable prices. Many other teams are top heavy at the position financially.

If one of of Green Bay's receivers does leave down the road, it wouldn't be catastrophic. The Packers, refueling at the position almost annually have surrounded their MVP quarterback with weapons.

OK, so Thompson has splurged on a whopping total of three -- count 'em, three -- unrestricted free agents the last five years (Frank Walker, Brandon Chillar and Duke Preston). He probably won't empty the bank account for a premier pass rusher this month. But the Packers are where they are because they've thought ahead with players like Nelson. Johnson's contract in Buffalo is another reminder.