It’s a foregone conclusion that receiver Greg Jennings won’t be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2013. The Packers have other business to attend to and Jennings has already put his house on the market.
Where might he end up? Here are the top possibilities.
First, we’re going to eliminate what might seem like two obvious possibilities.
Detroit Lions — Yes, they have Calvin Johnson, but what else? Jennings is from Michigan, so it seems like a no brainer to put Detroit on the list. The problem is, the Lions are already over the 2013 salary cap and they have bigger issues to address, namely on defense.
Arizona Cardinals — The Cards certainly need some offensive help and Jennings trains in the offseason with Larry Fitzgerald, but they have the same problem as Detroit. They’re currently over the 2013 cap and have other, larger issues. At the top of that list is an offensive line and a quarterback that actually belong in the NFL.
So here’s the list.
1. Miami Dolphins
The obvious destination. Miami has more than $38 million in cap space, their best receiver right now is Brian Hartline and former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is their head coach. Jennings’ sister also went on some Twitter rant during the season about how her brother should sign with Miami next season, for whatever that’s worth.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have a new regime that includes former Packers exec John Dorsey as general manager. They’re expected to lose their No. 1 receiver, Dwayne Bowe, in free agency, so there’s a need. Kansas City also has $16 million in cap room. We also know Andy Reid likes to throw the ball.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Your worst nightmare. The Vikings are reportedly already interested in Jennings and a move to Minnesota would keep him close to home. They’re expected to lose Percy Harvin in the offseason and they have the necessary cap room — $16.1 million. On the positive side, Jennings gets to play with Adrian Peterson, which could mean a fair amount of single coverage. On the negative, he also has to play with Christian Ponder.
4. Seattle Seahawks
You could argue the Hawks already have a No. 1 receiver, but Jennings is a big upgrade over either Sidney Rice or Golden Tate. There’s another former Packers exec running the show here — John Schneider — and Seattle has the necessary cap space — $18.6 million. They’re already a playoff team and Russell Wilson is only going to get better.
5. Cleveland Browns
I can’t name one receiver on the Browns. Can you? There’s obviously a need. The Browns also have a ton of money to throw around — $48.9 million — so they can overpay. The positives for Jennings are he remains close to home and gets to play on an offense coordinated by Norv Turner. The negatives are he’s playing for the Browns.
6. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are lacking a true No. 1 receiver and have a young quarterback they’re trying to build around in Jake Locker. They have $19.4 million in salary cap space and probably aren’t too many players away from competing for a playoff spot.
7. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers definitely have some talent. It’s just not at the receiver position. In San Diego, Jennings could make Philip Rivers look good again. He’d certainly get plenty of targets and a shot at the playoffs. The Chargers would have to free up some more money to sign Jennings though. They’re currently $8.7 million under the cap.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Much like the Browns, Cincinnati has a ton of money to play with — $55.1 million to be exact. They’re also a playoff team. The question is whether Jennings would want to play second fiddle to A.J. Green.
9. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts really have an ideal situation for a free agent receiver — great young quarterback, $46 million to spend and they’re a playoff team. Their No. 2 guy, Donnie Avery, is a free agent too. One problem. Where does Jennings fit in with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton already on the roster?
10. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford needs someone to throw to. He’s needed someone to throw to since he got drafted. Jennings is an obvious solution and St. Louis is on solid ground as long as Jeff Fisher is the coach. They’d have to do a lot of maneuvering to make that happen. They’re currently only $1.8 million under the cap.
11. Green Bay Packers
Jennings doesn’t get the money he thinks he’s due (most likely becuase of injury) and ends up re-signing a 2 or 3 year deal in the 5 to 7 million dollar range just like James Jones.
Jennings making the same amount as JJ?
Not. Gonna. Happen.
no…Jones makes like $3m. The point was JJ failed ot find the high bidder he thought would be there in free agency.
Oh god anybody but the Vikings
I’d have to agree. His injuries over the last year and half will either make him a bargain back in GB next year or he will get overpaid somewhere else. Miami would be fine with me.
I wouldn’t be surprised with the vikings it is the packers retirement home
Lets hope Minnesota drops Vincent Jackson money on him to play 6 games a year.
I dont see Jennings staying, in any scenario. Jennings admitted his injury is gonna hurt his leverage for a contract he wants….but someone will still pony up for him, my guess is in the 12,13 mill range. Packers are too deep in receivers to spend that. Rodgers is brutally underpaid, and he wont be able to hide that fact much longer without feeling disrespected, Clay is also gonna get the big money. Just those 2 contracts are gonna be huge…..I dont necessarily think Raji deserves huge money, He showed a glimpse of his past play towards the end of the season…but where was he the rest of the season? His play hasn’t justified Pro Bowl type money
Who is this guy? I agree 100%.
Raji has been inconsistent. With Pickett getting old, the Packers might have to overpay for him. But Rodgers and Matthews are must-signs. Raji is not.
If DeSean Jackson is worth $10 mil a year, then Jennings should be worth 11-12 mil. Maybe more if there is a bidding war.
@ mxz600
how much do you think receivers get paid? jennings makes 7 million a year with a signing bonus and he’s a high paid receiver… he defiantly wont be paid 12-13 million next year
1. Definitely*
2. Yeah, he’ll be making double digit figures next year, unless he really wants to stay with the Packers.
if he is not making double digits this year why would he next year? in case you haven’t noticed he got worse
Tennessee probably isn’t too many players away from competing for a playoff spot? Lol, really? The team that lost about 55-7 to the Packers, having scored in the last 3 minutes of the game? Lol, okay. All they need is a QB, WR, O-line, D-line, linebackers, and DBs; so very close.
It would appear that the AFC is the weaker conference for the foreseeable future, which means a better chance to compete for a chance to get another ring, in another town. Brady and Manning are nearly done with their respective careers and Flacco and Shaub are the other “great” QBs in that conference. So, I’m voting AFC team and I’ll take that Miami bet. Greg Jennings on south beach doing more deodorant commercials, sounds like a match made in heaven.
I would be surprised to see Percy Harvin elsewhere next season, but if he is, then expect the Vikings to make a big push for Jennings.
Jennings is especially a stud on turf. With Jennings, the Vikings would only be Ponder being worth a crap away from being a good team. Scary.
Let’s all hope to hear Jennings say- “I’m taking my talents to South Beach.”
Seattle would be another scary team.
I used to be a Seahawk fan. Too bad for their thuggish attitude and cheerleader head coach.
yeah, definitely agree and i also was ok with them until they douched out this year. i hadn’t thought of seattle until this and immediately i cringed at the idea…he’d be a good fit with the colts and even though it seems like he kinda quit early on the pack, i don’t wish him ill will so i kinda hope he ends up there and stays out of the way and can do somewhat alright for himself
I like him in Cincy. He’s never come across as a guy who needs to be the #1 WR, and has put up his best numbers when playing in the slot. Since we have Cobb in that role, that’s a big part of why it’s fine not to resign Jennings. Can you imagine AJ Green outside and Jennings in the slot? Merry Christmas Andy Dalton.