As I’m sure you’re well aware by now, former Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Greg Jennings signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract ($18 million-guaranteed) with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.  Many Packers’ fans were quite put off and felt that this was a spiteful signing.  But worry not, Green Bay faithful; things are going to be just fine.  Let’s take a moment to look at how this signing affects both teams. 

First up, the Vikings.  Even before the Percy Harvin trade, wide receiver was near the top of Minnesota’s main needs.  After trading Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks; receiver quickly became the Vikings’ No. 1 priority.  Enter Jennings, who instantly becomes the team’s top wideout, and gives Christian Ponder a second dependable target besides Kyle Rudolph.  Prior to the 2012 season, Jennings was a workhorse, playing in 88 of a possible 96 regular-season games; including all 16 from 2008-2010.  He topped 1,000 receiving yards three times and averaged over 14 yards per reception every season.  Even last season when he was hampered by injury, Jennings was able to catch 36 passes for 366 and four touchdowns in just eight games.  With only $18 million of his contract guaranteed, Jennings won’t cost the Vikings too much if he can’t stay healthy.  If he can, they get a talented No. 1 receiver, still under 30; who will take a ton of pressure off of Adrian Peterson and the running game. 

Now let’s take a look at things for the Packers - I’ll try my best to keep things objective here.  I know a lot of fans were really upset that Green Bay couldn’t or didn’t retain Jennings services, but at the price he was demanding; it wouldn’t be good for the team to keep him.  Let me put it in perspective for you: Green Bay could’ve brought Jennings back on a long-term contract, but because of their already tight salary-cap situation; any significant deal with Jennings would seriously hamper their efforts to lock up Clay Matthews or Aaron Rodgers to the huge extensions they’ll soon be due.  Even if they could still get those deals done, it’d likely mean having to part ways with talented players like Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga, Casey Hayward or others.  You really wouldn’t want that, Packers’ fans; would you? Green Bay’s offense was obviously just fine without Jennings on the field much this year, with James Jones leading the NFL in touchdowns and Cobb having a breakout season.  The Packers’ offense isn’t really any worse without Jennings and they will be just fine without him, so stop stressing it so much Green Bay fans.  I get that it hurts he left for the division rival, but you need to think of the long-term success of your team, versus attachment to a long-time, fan-favorite player. 

In the end, this deal really helps solidify things for the Vikings on offense, but they’ll still need to add another wide receiver to line up opposite Jennings.  On the flip side, the Packers don’t have a lot to worry about, as they still have weapons like Cobb, Jones, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley; as well as youngsters like Jarrett Boykin and D.J. Williams ready to step up and make an impact in the coming season.  I’d call it a win-win for both teams in the long run.