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Truth is the NFL is a harsh business that can be cold and cruel at times. Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl wide receiver Greg Jennings is about to go on that trip down the harsh lane.
Jennings recently confessed to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers didn’t resign him, and he’s mentally prepared for that fate.
“Whether the contract comes with Green Bay in the near future or (with) one of the other 31 teams, that’s the reality of it,” Jennings said. “That’s the way I have to approach it. My mind-set is 20 weeks of football with the Packers and then this is it.
“This is my last year with the Packers under contract. That’s my mind-set. I’m not thinking about (the) contract. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I have to make sure I go out there and do what I’ve been doing for six solid years here to get myself a chance to play somewhere."
“My agent knows, we know our march to what we’re trying to reach,” Jennings said of the price range. “That’s it. Unless we come to those numbers, then I don’t want to hear anything about it.
“Like I said, I have one thing on my mind, that’s football this year with this team that I’ve been loyal to for six years. I’m a realist. I don’t put it past anyone. This organization has to do what it has to do for itself and I have to do what I have to do for Greg.”
The Packers are a gold standard organization and with that standard comes some tough choices. Everyone in Wisconsin is aware that Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Jennings and B.J. Raji are all in line for new deals. At this point in time it comes down to importance and who they let walk or stay.
When asked about the possibility of the Packers allowing him to walk, Jennings was quite frank.
“I wouldn’t put it past them,” Jennings said. “That’s the reality of this business. I have to put myself in a position where I tell the young guys when they come in, ‘Everyone is not going to make the team. It’s up to you to put yourself in a position to make somebody’s roster.' I’m in that same boat.”
At the end of the day it comes down to who the Packers put their priority on. Rodgers and Matthews are keepers in my opinion without a doubt. It comes down to whether or not the prefer Raji over Jennings.
Some recent roster moves tell the story. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson had his contract extended. The Packers also drafted Randall Cobb last season.
Tough-rugged and productive interior lineman do not come a dime a dozen though. The next move is on the Packers.
Stay tuned.
Glenn Erby is a NFL writer for FootBasket. He also owns the NFL blog, Tha Cover 2. You can read more about him over there. Follow him on Twitter @thacover2.
