Leading up to the visit, and eventual signing, of wide receiver Greg Jennings there were reports that the Packers were making an effort to keep him and there were varying reports regarding just where Jennings’ market measured up.
We already have discussed that Jennings signed a five year deal with the Vikings worth an average of about $9 million per year.
Now, Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel brings us details about just how things ended with the Packers, and also points out that the Vikings and Packers weren’t the only team interested in Jennings.
According to McGinn, Jennings turned down an extension offer from the Packers that averaged $11 million per year, because he was seeking something more in the neighborhood of $15 million. A concussion during training camp was followed by an abdominal injury that required surgery, and his perceived value obviously took a hit after those injuries prevented him from having a normal Jennings-type season on the field.
After all, Jennings had flat out missed half of the last 22 Packers games, and questions about his long term viability were being raised for the first time in his career.
Despite the injuries and a stacked depth chart, however, the Packers showed significant interest in retaining the 29 year old wide out. According to McGinn’s sources, Jennings had an offer from the Packers that averaged about $8 million per year. This was significantly less than what they offered him last year, and way less than the $15 million average he was originally seeking, so Jennings sat tight during the opening days of free agency to see if anyone stepped up.
With the deep-pocketed Miami Dolphins shelling out a bunch of money to Mike Wallace, and Seattle trading for Percy Harvin, the possible landing destinations for Jennings started to narrow. The New England Patriots did make an offer to Jennings, which averaged about $6 million per year, but those talks didn’t go very far, writes McGinn.
The Vikings, as Jennings puts it, “stepped up to the plate” with their contract offer following a wooing period in the Twin Cities.
It appears pretty obvious that the Vikings paid more than anyone else was willing to, but clearly less than the market thought Jennings was worth last year. The hope is that Jennings is able to return to his 2010 form and avoid future injuries so that the contract looks less like a desperation move, and more like a bargain.
View Comments
He would have never gotten a Long term contract for the Patriots.
2 Million more per year is also a good reason !
It's funny to think how little things can affect your status. After just a single year he lost more than 2 mill per year. Not just little mans money there.
His "post signing" new conference was really good to watch. If he does what he says he wants to do, then I think the Vikes made okay.
I also enjoyed watching Jennings in his post signing news conference. He is well spoken and seems to be a humble, team first guy.
It looks like Jennings is going to wear #15... no crying about wanting #85... I think the Vikings found the right guy!
The combination of him being the best remaining free agent and our desperation at WR pretty much dictated a contract like this. They needed a veteran to compliment all their youth, so they went ahead and paid for what they needed, which was a greater need that other teams had. Good move by Vikes, and the right price too.
Where ya been Buds? Glad to see you back...everything ok?
Doin' fine, Freds. Been following along from time to time, but never had much to offer. (I know, I know, that never stopped me before.) Adam has this free agent and draft stuff pretty well nailed, so I'm just takin' it in.
How about you? Things lining up OK? Missed you for quite a spell as well.
Hey lookie there! Coach and Freds, my two favorite crotchety old coots on the same post. Imagine the amount of lawns we can keep clear of punk kids with these two around.
Hey, Oregon boy. Havin' a problem with your lawn, are ya? Mine is under a couple feet of snow, so no worries there. Sure appreciate being one of your two favorite crotchety old coots. Gives a man quite a feeling, especially coming from one of the hair-brainiest kooks I know.
Why thank you kind sir!
It does, however, bring up an awkward point of contention. Sweeping aside the issue of " is hair-brainiest a viable word combination," what's the background info on brains with hair? I've personally never heard of it. Assuming brains with hair do in fact exist, does said hair somehow inhibit a person's intelligence acumen? The physics of it has to be a fascinating study.
Admittedly, I haven't done enough research to form a valid opinion. Imagine if you had hair on your brain, and again imagine it wasn't a buzz-cut; say it turned out you had brains with dreadlocked hair, how would you deal with that?
I may be over thinking this.
I'm not sure Adam will be pleased that either of us are back based on that little exchange. Nonetheless, you did manage to personify "hair-brained" in a far more effective manner than any definition could possibly offer.
I accept your apology.