A stir was caused this week when respected beat writer Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel said that the Packers would be “wise” to shop Greg Jennings ahead of the trade deadline. Jennings is heading into the final year of his contract and could get the Packers a 2nd round pick, according to McGinn. Also according to McGinn, Jennings may want Larry Fitzgerald money on the open market, which would be 8 years 120 million. We saw Mike Wallace try and fail to get that kind of money this offseason, proving how tough it is to get that type of money unless you’re Larry Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson, but Jennings should get at least the 5 years 55 million dollar that Vincent Jackson got last offseason on the open market.
Jennings has been an incredibly productive receiver over the past few years, catching 389 passes for 6171 yards and 49 touchdowns, but he wouldn’t be worth that to the Packers. The Packers don’t like to commit big money to guys and have plenty of receiving depth with Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Randall Cobb, so it makes sense that they could let him leave, heading into his age 30 season in 2013. There’s also his health issue with 3 concussions as a pro on his record. He’s unlikely to be anywhere near this productive elsewhere, as he’s only ever had Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre throwing him the football, and any team that signs him to a giant contract would be making a bad deal.
Still, trading him wouldn’t make any sense. The Packers are built to win now and Jennings is definitely an asset to a Super Bowl run. It wouldn’t be worth a 2nd round pick for the Packers to “hedge their bet” in a year where they could easily win it all. The Steelers might have been able to get a 2nd for Mike Wallace, but they wouldn’t have traded him for that, even though he was holding out, because giving yourself the best chance to win a Super Bowl now is worth more than a 2nd round pick later. I would be shocked if the Packers made this kind of move midseason, barring some unforeseen major early season struggles that knocked them out of Super Bowl contention.
Plus, I just don’t understand why Jennings would want to leave. Sure, he’ll probably have to take less money to stay, but playing for a team like the Packers with Aaron Rodgers throwing you the football is a wide receiver’s dream and it’s a lot of money either way. Jennings needs the Packers more than the Packers need him. One option that would make a lot of sense for both sides is the franchise tag, which the Packers should have available next offseason, with no other major free agents to lock up.
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
Football Fan Spot 