Christian Ponder needed some help in the receiving game, and the Vikings’ front office just gave it to him.
Greg Jennings signed a five-year deal with the Vikings on Friday. The total contract is worth $47.5 million with at least $18 million guaranteed.
The Vikings traded away their top receiver Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the week and missed out on speedster Mike Wallace, who signed with the Miami Dolphins instead. So, getting Jennings was a must for the Vikes and they came through in the deal after all.
At his introductory press conference on Friday night, Jennings brought up his departure from the other side of the rivalry in Green Bay. He acknowledged the history of Packers players turned Vikings, most notably Brett Favre.
“I’m not the first Packers player to jump over to this side,” Jennings said with a smile. “That makes it a little more relieving.”
Jennings, 29, left a mark with the Packers that included two Pro Bowl selections, 425 receptions, more than 6,500 yards and 53 touchdowns. His connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a major catalyst in their run to Super Bowl XLV and helped develop one the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
Jennings might not suit up in the green and yellow any longer, but he’ll still see the Packers at least twice a year as he stays within the NFC North. That may not go over so well with Packers fans, but at least they’ll have the memories — like the time he carried the team on his back.
Let’s just hope they don’t start burning No. 85 jerseys up in Wisconsin like Patriots fans did to their Wes Welker unis.
